USA's George impressed by Serbia offense
RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - The United States are unbeaten and at the top of Group A at the Rio de Janeiro Games but a hard-fought win over Australia and a nail-biting triumph over Serbia has
RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - The United States are unbeaten and at the top of Group A at the Rio de Janeiro Games but a hard-fought win over Australia and a nail-biting triumph over Serbia has everyone in Rio de Janeiro wondering if the two-time defending champions are as good as we thought.
The Americans have had to dig in and play their best against Spain in the last two Olympic Finals and in London, Lithuania pushed them hard in the Preliminary Round.
These international guys, they really know how to move. They really know how to cut. It's more so about how they run their offense that's wearing us down. - Paul George
But the Boomers and especially the Serbians have asked a lot of questions of the USA who, despite winning, do not look unbeatable.
Serbia's passing game was particularly impressive on Friday night in the Americans' 94-91 victory. Milos Teodosic, the Serbia point guard, drew oohs and aahs from the crowd with his ability to find teammates for open looks.
Milos! This is just ridiculous! You have no right to make this pass! https://t.co/0gqf4TE7lS
— Courtside Collective (@courtsideco) August 13, 2016
Paul George, one of the victors' best on the night with 12 points and 9 rebounds, saluted the opponents.
"These international guys, they really know how to move," George said. "They really know how to cut. It's more so about how they run their offense that's wearing us down. We just got to do a better job. Every point of this game, we were confident to pull this one through but they were going to make us work for it and tonight, that was the case."
The USA's four-time Olympian, Carmelo Anthony, was full of praise for Serbia, too. But he also stressed that getting the win was the be-all and the end-all for his team.
"They played extremely well," he said. "They play hard, they play tough, they made shots, they ran their offense fluently. But you know what? We’ll take the win. That's all that matters."
Kyrie Irving, who is probably the USA's most important player, the man that led them to the world title two years ago in Spain, says there is no need to panic.
"For me, we got to find our rhythm," he said. "Once we do that, we'll be all right."
FIBA