Another game, another blowout for Team USA basketball. They improved to 2-0 in Group A during the Rio Olympics with a commanding 113-69 victory over Team Venezuela.
In terms of individual Warriors’ success, it was a mixed bag. Kevin Durant didn’t miss a single shot from the field, and finished with 16 points.
Klay Thompson was the exact opposite of that, though. He missed all 5 shots he took, and was the only player on the roster to not score any points.
Draymond Green had a quiet scoring performance with just 2 points, but grabbed 4 rebounds.
Team USA will play Team Australia on Wednesday. Both teams are undefeated so far at the Rio Olympics.
Wednesday’s game will feature Andrew Bogut facing off against former teammates Thompson and Green, and well as Harrison Barnes, who is joining the Dallas Mavericks with him next season.
Bogut and Barnes were the highest profile players forced to leave the Warriors in order to sign Durant.
In the weeks since Durant’s decision to come to Golden State, he has faced an outrageous amount of criticism for his choice.
Steve Kerr said in an interview that it’s especially ridiculous that Durant is being labeled a villain by fans because Durant is such a nice guy.
It’s clearly a case of jealousy, and fans around the league are anxious that this Warriors lineup is just too talented. No player’s character should be attacked just because he chose to sign with a specific team.
Warriors World
Team USA Defeats Team Venezuela 113-69
Steve Kerr Defends Kevin Durant from Criticism
Local Media
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Golden State of Mind: Team USA vs. Team Venezuela Open Thread
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National Media
ESPN: Kerr Says That it’s Ridiculous to Call Kevin Durant a Villain
ESPN: Oklahoma City Thunder to Host Durant in February
ESPN: Andrew Bogut Gets Mark Cuban’s Blessing to Play in Rio Olympics