It was a struggle throughout most of Team USA’s 98-88 victory over Australia on Wednesday night in Rio. Jimmy Butler went scoreless after a great 17-point performance vs. Venezuela. Here’s a few thoughts on the U.S. being 3-0.
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For those that wanted Jimmy Butler and Team USA to be challenged and face some adversity in Rio during their run towards a third straight gold medal, you got your wish on Wednesday.
The red, white and blue got all they could handle from Patty Mills, Andrew Bogut and a tough Australia squad in a 98-88 victory to move to 3-0 in pool play in the 2016 Olympics.
Butler went scoreless in 6:15 of game time against the Aussies. He didn’t look for his shot hardly at all with his three shot attempts, but did have a couple nice possessions on defense in Team USA’s seemingly “we can switch everything because we’re that damn good” defensive attack in the half-court.
The heroes of the night were the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony — who became the United States’ all-time leading scorer against Australia — and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, who hit a NBA Finals-like dagger late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for the Aussies.
https://twitter.com/NBCSN/status/763521854502006784
With Anthony leading the way for the stars and stripes and Irving coming alive late, here’s a few thoughts on the U.S. on Wednesday and what’s ahead for them with two games left in pool play before the knockout stage begins next week.
Mike Krzyzewski should look to his second unit more if the U.S. find themselves in ruts again
A common trend from Wednesday was Team USA not being able to stop the balanced Aussie attack on the offensive end. SB Nation‘s Mike Prada had a fantastic breakdown on how their system truly frustrated the U.S. and kept the game close throughout.
Krzyzewski has three of the best defenders in the NBA in his second unit — Kyle Lowry, Butler and Paul George — at the 1-3 positions on the floor. George was inserted for the struggling Klay Thompson in the starting five on Wednesday, but this trio can help get the U.S. out of trouble at times (if they’re in some again) with stops, switching and still be able to score the basketball with guys like Anthony or Kevin Durant playing the four.
Carmelo Anthony is officially “Captain America”
Yeah, I know. Some Bulls fans probably still feel angry about Anthony shunning the Bulls a couple summers ago and signing a big deal to stay with the Knicks, but the man has been nails for the United States in international play.
31 points, 9 threes & the new #USABMNT all-time scoring leader in Olympic play! pic.twitter.com/37s5cHha2O
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2016
This is Anthony’s fourth Olympic appearance and he’s been a part of it all. From the struggles of 2004 in Athens, to his 10 three-pointer performance against Nigeria four years ago, Anthony’s been the leader of the Team USA program and he was money all night long for the red, white and blue on Wednesday.
(Also, when you get a chance, give Jack Silvestein’s long-form piece on Carmelo Anthony and Team USA basketball a read. It’s a great piece and really shows how important Anthony’s international career has been for the U.S. program.)
What’s next for Team USA?
Butler and Team USA will play Serbia in their fourth of five games in the group stage on Friday, Aug. 12 in Rio. Tip-off time is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be televised on NBCSN. You’ll able to stream the game through the NBC Olympics site here, too.