Kevin Durant rebounded and Team USA destroyed Jokic and Pesic’s Serbia

A very unexpected appearance, but, at the same time, not surprising. That’s how Kevin Durant is, a sleeping volcano that suddenly erupts and destroys to suppress the determination and drive of Serbia by Pesic and Jokic, which ended up destroying Team USA in the Olympic premiere (110-84). The Phoenix Suns star, who has not played since April and has yet to make his United States debut, showed his brilliance bordering on perfection with 23 points in his return with 8/9 field goals and 5/ 5 in triples.

Durant made the American team take 21 of these 23 goals in the first half where Team USA had already set its very high standard with a clear 58-49. LeBron James made his usual appearance with 21 points against a Serbia where the efforts of a lone Nikola Jokic, who had 20 points and 8 assists, came to naught.

In the race looming at these Games to wrest from the United States its undisputed throne as the world’s leading power, Serbia quickly ran out of steam despite its impressive initial sprint – a slight 10-2 in first 3 minutes – and remains for the bet in the first quarter (20-25 down). The world has evolved but Team USA showed that it is for something a wise veteran like former Barça player Svetislav Pesic said that this Dream Team is stronger than the one from Barcelona ’92 .

Of course, when history is revealed, it can only be reflected upon and applauded. The Balkan team can only testify to Durant’s greatness, rising majestically to connect with one shot after another, showing an example of what a player, a legend, is immune to all. More was heard about his battered twin than he was, but, like an unexpected storm, KD unleashed all his content and anger.

Thirsty for glory in the NBA – he hasn’t made it past the Conference Semifinals since leaving the Warriors -, the 2014 MVP clings to Team USA to satisfy his desire to succeed, leader of the Tokyo 2020 gold medal and with the possibility of becoming the first in history to win four Olympic titles.

While Durant smiled, LeBron, true to his way of expressing himself and his burning desire to restore honor to the United States, frowned and shouted. The oldest in the area dragged the rest, with 15 points for Jrue Holiday, 12 for Devin Booker and also double digits for Anthony Edwards (11) and the other member of the generational trio, a Stephen Curry (11) who fueled the awakening of Steve Kerr’s group with two triples, finishing 3/7 from the perimeter.

In Serbia, Bogdan Bogdanovic (14) and Ognjen Dobric (13) were the best with a Jokic who lacked help, especially from his point guards. Micic and Avramovic reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, but they were unable to control the game and the Balkan team will also need Jokic to step up in creating the game in addition to his necessary role as a scorer in this Serbia. Among other problems, Pesic’s men again suffered from the lack of external success as in the friendly a few days ago – 24% with 9/37 -, in contrast to the devastating 13/32 of the United States (56%). Many of the shots generated by the European team were of quality.

Team USA may lack chemistry in its static attack and may occasionally succumb to its rivals’ sloppy starts, something it can quickly change with the same authoritative or superior partial as was the case in the 12- 2 that put him ahead in just two minutes , with five minutes left in the first quarter.

But Kerr’s staff downplayed the impact of this logical flaw on a core player who had never played together on defense. Where the United States adjusted and Serbia began to falter, the NBA stars began to run and neither Serbia nor anyone else could withstand the sheer speed of Team USA when it attacked. If Kevin Durant also shoots indefensible shots in the half-court offense, even if the team is not worried about this it will be impossible.

All the clarity that is missing in the static attack is provided by Stephen Curry and the attraction he creates, the master of the triple logical who knows Steve Kerr’s systems when he lives in them all his life to found the Warriors dynasty. Jrue Holiday also surprised scoring from the paint in a pure pivot style as he does for the Celtics, but the United States showed that they can live peacefully without too much detailed action if they create an advantage after the first penetration and then move the ball until they find an open three-pointer.

That, building the first lead early, was what Serbia lacked. Despite the hard work and relentless movement of Pesic’s team, the Balkan team was rarely able to disrupt Team USA’s defense with penetrations, which were blocked by the physical superiority of the American team. And with the exception of Jokic, no one has consistently benefited from interior mismatches with Holiday and White showing why they are elite defenders capable of defending bigger players.

Through it all, Serbia has put a lot of weight on Nikola Jokic. The United States, accustomed to the triple MVP, reliably controlled the movement around them to prevent the Nuggets star from generating. The Joker is only comfortable playing Davis and Embiid in the post, but Team USA in all its offensive glee can handle it easily. Serbia can only watch the history pass.