It is hard to conceptualize that one of the greatest basketball games ever since the peach basket era was contested on a Thursday afternoon in August.
In Paris.
Hear me now and believe me later.
Who woulda thunk I’d be nervously standing in front of the telly, wondering if what is being referred to as arguably the greatest collection of players ever assembled, coached by the elite of the elite was going to lose an Olympic semi-final?
Such was a real possibility.
I know for a fact I was not alone in my nervousness.
The United States was down 17 in the opening half. They were outscored each of the opening three ten minute stanzas. They were behind 15 with :32 left in the 3d, -12 heading into the fourth.
At that juncture, I wasn’t sure if I was going to chronicle the tilt should the unfathomable occurr, but figured if I did, it would start with a riff reminding that the best team coached by the best coaches doesn’t always win.
Serbia played what head mentor Steve Kerr called a “perfect” game.
He and his fellow mentors even referenced that Villanova W over Georgetown in the ’85 title game. Nova netted 22 of the 28 FGs they attempted that night in Rupp. Nine of 10 in the 2d.
The Jokic-led Serbs were 15/39 from beyond the arc. I swear I don’t remember any of the misses. Except a wide open one late during the US comeback.
OK, journalist that I really am not, I’ve buried the lede.
USA survived 95-91.
But my oh my oh my oh my, it was oh so sphinctertightening getting there.
If you’re doing the math, you know it took an immaculate 32-15 4th to pull it out.
The best proved why they’re the BEST.
LeBron James crafted a will-to-win triple double. 16/12/10.
After scoring but 28 in his previous four games, Steph Curry drained 36. He was 9/14 from the courtyard of my favorite museum, Musee d’Orsay.
Kevin Durant only tallied 9, but 7 of those were in the final quarter. And, not known for his D, he was stellar when tenacious defending was imperative.
Joel Embid showed up hugely. 19 points on 8/11 marksmanship.
Those dudes are all former NBA MVPs. As was that pivot for the foe. Five such eminent ballers on the court at the same time.
This was hoops at its most brilliant.
The game turning sequence came with 7:19 left, United States still down 11, 67-78.
Durant canned a trey. Assist LeBron. While Jokic was fouling Anthony Davis. Americans kept the rock. Devin Booker bullseyed a triple. Assist LeBron.
Six point possession. They help.
The comeback was agonizing but inexorable.
James knotted the score at 84 with 3:43 to go. Serbia responded with a deuce.
At 2:24 Steph rattled in a triple. Assist: Oh need I really print out his name?
Americans did not relinquish that lead. Curry hit the nail in the coffin freebies with :08 left.
What a great great game!!!
An August afternoon for ages.
* * * * *
The other semi, eventually captured by the homies 73-69. was also fiercely contested
It’s not like France and Germany don’t have a history, ya know?
There was that Franco/Prussian War back in 1870.
Guy named Otto von Bismarck was involved. Later had a boat named for him. Cue the Johnny Horton.
I’d like to say I have some knowledge of the conflict from my favorite history class ever, professed by oh so weird but informative Dr. Jefferson Davis Futch. But it wouldn’t be true.
But a quick trip to britannica.com informs me that the primary cause of said Euro-skirmish was the ascendency of one Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.
Truth: My purpose in providing such very peripheral historical context was seeing if I could correctly spell that dude’s name.
Anyway . . .
. . . United States vs. France Saturday afternoon for the Gold.
The house shall be rockin’.
— c d kaplan