A Team USA that is more down-to-earth than expected

lebron, Curry and Durant was able to return to USA without suffering the scorn of Charles Barkley expected days ago if they failed to win an Olympic gold medal. The goal pursued by the American team was achieved, but not without some level of shocks in the final match France and, above all, in the semifinal against Serbiawhere the American NBA stars surrendered in 35 minutes with disadvantages of up to 17 points.

And, despite the coronation of the expected king, these Games of Paris recently shut down revealed the global elite’s approach to American excellence, even among their biggest stars.

If we except the Games of Athenswhere the Team USA suffered the harshest taunt in its history when it was eliminated in the semifinals by Argentina, which had accumulated as many as three defeats, the Olympic tournament Paris It was the first in which their point differential for and against dropped below twenty points.

If in Games Barcelona in 1992the Americans won their games by an average difference of 43.7 points, in this Olympic edition they did it by an average of 19 points. In Barcelona there was no game in which they fell below the final +30 while in Paris they only managed to overcome the difference in one game and in three they were below 18. In the shock of the semifinals against Serbia have to add the final, not decided until the last consecutive triples of Curryand a one point victory over South Sudan in a friendly way

Logically, basketball is more global today than it was 32 years ago, with top players. MVP in some selections (Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Schroeder…) and others who know the NBA without one.

“There are many teams that will continue to improve more,” he admitted. LeBron James after securing the top of the podium. “Germany won the World Cup last year. The world is a basketball world and everyone loves the game. We just hope to continue to inspire people around the world.”

The legendary Dwyane Wadewho experienced the disappointment in 2004 and is now an NBC analyst, admits that everything has changed. “The game is growing worldwide. It’s exposed. Everyone has a chance. There’s nothing to hide, we all see it,” he said in one of his television comments after the final. “We continue to dominate the game when it comes to gold medals , but it won’t be easy. It’s not 1992, everyone needs to get it out of their heads. “It’s another day.”

To all this we must add that USA has escaped disappointment in controversies over arbitration decisions that have even led to questioning of some appointments such as the Panamanian Julio Anayaa Summer League NBA referee who officiated the team four times in nine days.