US ahead #06 LeBron James fights for the ball in opposition to Serbia’s centre #15 Nikola Jokic through the Basketball Showcase pleasant match between the US and Serbia the at Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi on July 17, 2024. | AFP
LeBron James was happy with the progress made by the USA of their 105-79 victory over Serbia in a pleasant in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, however insists there may be “a lot room to enhance” within the hunt for Olympic gold.
After a slim win over Australia on Monday, that noticed the US practically blow a 20-point lead in direction of the tip of the conflict, the celebrities and stripes had been in commanding kind in opposition to a Nikola Jokic-led Serbia.
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Stephen Curry, who scored simply three factors within the USA’s 98-92 win over the Boomers, caught hearth on Wednesday, opening the scoring with a signature three on the very first play and ending the sport with a team-high 24 factors, taking pictures six for 9 from past the arc.
“We drew it (the opening play) up for that specific motive, to get him going,” stated James of Curry.
“He sees one undergo the ring, you see what it opens up for the remainder of his sport, for the remainder of the sport for all of us. He set the tone and we simply tried to proceed to maintain discovering him.”
Bam Adebayo additionally had a profitable night, coming off the bench to tally up 17 factors, eight rebounds and a pair of assists.
The Miami Warmth middle mixed seamlessly on defence with Anthony Davis, who had six blocks, six rebounds and 7 factors.
“Bam and AD collectively are actually one thing,” US head coach Steve Kerr stated.
“Simply the switching, however they’ll additionally defend the rim and be in a drop if we go to that protection.
“They’ll mix with the ball strain that E-book was placing on their level guard, I believed that actually set a tone for us.”
Serbia, who misplaced to Australia on Tuesday, had been as soon as once more with out Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was on the bench however didn’t play.
Reigning NBA MVP Jokic had a double-double 16 factors and 11 rebounds but it surely was not sufficient to halt the formidable Individuals, whom they may face once more of their Olympics opener in Lille, France on July 28.
“We’ve nonetheless received a lot room to enhance however we wish to proceed to get higher and never waste the alternatives. I felt like tonight we received higher,” stated James, who’s gunning for his third Olympic gold medal this summer season.
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‘Energy is staff depth’
Kerr made one change to the beginning lineup he deployed in opposition to Australia two days in the past, conserving Jayson Tatum, James, Joel Embiid and Curry on the ground however choosing Jrue Vacation as a substitute of Anthony Edwards.
Curry scored 9 factors inside the first two minutes earlier than Serbia picked up the tempo with back-to-back threes from Aleksa Avramovic giving them an early 12-9 lead.
Kerr continued together with his hockey subs sample throughout these exhibition video games, taking off all 5 starters halfway by the quarter to herald Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Davis, Adebayo, and Devin Booker.
It was Edwards who reclaimed the lead for USA, going 4 for 4 from the free throw line with 38 seconds left on the clock. Vanja Marinkovic had different concepts although, his buzzer-beating layup ensuring the primary quarter ended with each groups on degree phrases.
Curry, Edwards and Adebayo helped the USA pull forward, and the Individuals had been by no means in hassle once more past that first quarter.
Kerr is proud of the technique he’s been making use of to date, of subbing all 5 starters with a completely new second unit and alternating these two teams each 5 minutes within the sport.
“I feel the id of the staff is our depth, the energy of the staff is the depth,” stated Kerr.
“And so, if we are able to play in 4, five-minute bursts of simply enjoying intense defence, hitting our bodies, rebounding, being bodily, then it is sensible to play that manner.
“We’ll see if we maintain doing it however for now, it’s allowed teams to get collectively, AD and Bam for instance, Steph and LeBron, form of learn to play collectively, having a greater really feel for one another.
“The energy of our staff is simply the depth and so if now we have to play that manner, we’ll play that manner.”
The USA head to London subsequent, the place they’ve two ultimate exhibition video games scheduled, in opposition to South Sudan on Saturday and reigning world champions Germany on Monday.
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