The last time the US played
Olympic basketball in London against France was in the gold medal game
in 1948. Their team of college boys won 65-21.The
new generation of Olympic professionals, stars of the NBA highly ranked
in the annual Forbes money lists, were not quite so dominant on Sunday.
Les Bleus had NBA players of their own. But the tone of the match was not much different. The US never trailed, the French coming close only at 22-21 at the end of the first quarter. The US then scored 11 consecutive points in 90 seconds, including threes from Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant.
Whether this US team are good enough to stand alongside the Dream Team of 1992 has become a discussion point since Bryant, backed by LeBron James, said the 2012 team could beat them. Derision has poured on them across the radio waves back home.
Even learned professors of mathematics have become embroiled, throwing the statistics of each team into a tumble-dryer of calculation on whether the 1992 team who averaged 43-point margins of victory could be beaten.
The consensus is that a win for the 2012 team is unlikely, but just as inconceivable is the possibility that this present side will be beaten here.
France, before this defeat, were among the favourites.
After
Kevin Seraphin got in a block to deny Russell Westbrook, Yannick Bokolo
nailed a three-pointer on the buzzer to leave France 22-21 down at the
end of the first quarter.
But the second quarter was another story as the United States began to impose themselves, with Bryant and Kevin Love coming to the fore.
Bryant inspired an early 11-0 spurt that had them 33-21 up on Chris Paul's three-pointer, and Love then took over, playing strong defence and scoring a quick lay-up and three-pointer that sent them 43-28 clear.
James Harden's fine pass set up LeBron James for a loud dunk that made it 50-36 shortly before half-time.
Durant hit a three to start the second half and after another from Bryant, Tyson Chandler's dunk gave the Americans a 60-38 advantage.
With France beginning to struggle the Americans threatened to turn the game into an intrasquad dunking contest, with James and Carmelo Anthony slamming them home in quick succession.
Things
got worse for France when Batum left the court appearing to have a
problem while Seraphin's attempt at a dramatic dunk flew back off the
iron.
They were running out of ways to contain the Americans, and a preparation period Parker had described as 'terrible' due to injuries and other problems affecting the squad caught up with them in the face of the United States' depth.
The
score was 78-51 at the end of the third quarter and the Americans began
to ease off down the stretch with the likes of James and Bryant taking
to the bench.
In came James Harden to score a big dunk, as well as Anthony Davis, a 2012 draft pick of the New Orleans Hornets who became the first player without NBA experience to appear for the United States in an Olympic Games since Emeka Okafor in 2004.
Durant led the Americans with 22 points while Love had 14 and Bryant 10. Durant added nine rebounds.
Ali Traore had 12 and Parker 10 for France.
Meanwhile, European champions
Spain got their Olympic medal challenge under way with victory over
China made comfortable by a late surge.
China fought hard early on but Spain's class showed through in big performances from their veteran players.
Pau Gasol scored 21 points while Serge Ibaka added 17, Juan Carlos Navarro 14 and Jose Calderon 12.
Les Bleus had NBA players of their own. But the tone of the match was not much different. The US never trailed, the French coming close only at 22-21 at the end of the first quarter. The US then scored 11 consecutive points in 90 seconds, including threes from Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant.
Lift off: Kevin Durant goes up for a slam dunk against France
Stars and stripes: Kobe Bryant (centre) celebrates with team-mates Durant (left) and Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, top-scored with 22 points and nine rebounds. Whether this US team are good enough to stand alongside the Dream Team of 1992 has become a discussion point since Bryant, backed by LeBron James, said the 2012 team could beat them. Derision has poured on them across the radio waves back home.
Even learned professors of mathematics have become embroiled, throwing the statistics of each team into a tumble-dryer of calculation on whether the 1992 team who averaged 43-point margins of victory could be beaten.
The consensus is that a win for the 2012 team is unlikely, but just as inconceivable is the possibility that this present side will be beaten here.
France, before this defeat, were among the favourites.
On the ball: LeBron James for the USA in their victory over the French
Dunk: Durant makes his mark
But the second quarter was another story as the United States began to impose themselves, with Bryant and Kevin Love coming to the fore.
Bryant inspired an early 11-0 spurt that had them 33-21 up on Chris Paul's three-pointer, and Love then took over, playing strong defence and scoring a quick lay-up and three-pointer that sent them 43-28 clear.
Say what: James reacts to a decision
Squeeze: Forward Carmelo Anthony tries to get past two French players
Durant hit a three to start the second half and after another from Bryant, Tyson Chandler's dunk gave the Americans a 60-38 advantage.
With France beginning to struggle the Americans threatened to turn the game into an intrasquad dunking contest, with James and Carmelo Anthony slamming them home in quick succession.
Over you go: James takes a tumble
They were running out of ways to contain the Americans, and a preparation period Parker had described as 'terrible' due to injuries and other problems affecting the squad caught up with them in the face of the United States' depth.
Interested crowd: First Lady Michelle Obama watches on
Team talk: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski with his men
In came James Harden to score a big dunk, as well as Anthony Davis, a 2012 draft pick of the New Orleans Hornets who became the first player without NBA experience to appear for the United States in an Olympic Games since Emeka Okafor in 2004.
Durant led the Americans with 22 points while Love had 14 and Bryant 10. Durant added nine rebounds.
Ali Traore had 12 and Parker 10 for France.
Big guns: American stars Kobe Bryant (left) and Lebron James run out ahead of their clash with France
China fought hard early on but Spain's class showed through in big performances from their veteran players.
Pau Gasol scored 21 points while Serge Ibaka added 17, Juan Carlos Navarro 14 and Jose Calderon 12.
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