Team USA Edges Out Serbia in Semifinal Thriller, Advances to Gold Medal Game
In an intense semifinal matchup at the Paris Olympics, Team USA managed to escape with a 95-91 victory over Serbia, securing a berth to the gold medal game against France on Saturday. Despite being the favorites, the Americans found themselves trailing by 17 points at one point, showcasing both their vulnerabilities and their resilience.
Star players stepped up when it mattered most. Steph Curry led the charge with a remarkable 36-point performance, while Joel Embiid bolstered the team’s efforts with 19 points on efficient 8-of-11 shooting. Adding to the impressive individual displays, LeBron James achieved a triple-double, underscoring his well-rounded contribution to the team’s success.
However, the victory did not come without criticism. Observers noted that despite the win, Team USA appeared "discombobulated, poorly functioning, and, yes, overmatched" for large stretches of the game. "The first is that Team USA, despite the 95-91 win and its accompanying berth to Saturday's gold medal game against France, is a flawed-if-destined champion, with an emphasis on 'flawed,'" remarked one analyst.
Leading Serbia was Nikola Jokic, a player who has firmly etched his name among the elite, having won three of the last four MVP Awards. Jokic's brilliance was on full display as he orchestrated Serbia's near-upset of the American squad. "That's the magic of Jokic," commented one assessment, highlighting the center's multifaceted game and ability to elevate those around him.
Jokic finished the game with a commanding presence, prompting analysts to reconsider his place in basketball's pantheon. "The man could be one of the all-time, all-time greats," said one analyst. Another commentator added, "I'm not sure we've accounted for that properly — what he's done, and with whom he's done it," referring to Jokic's consistent excellence.
The game served as a wake-up call for Team USA. While the victory propels them into the gold medal game, it also illuminated areas needing improvement. "Team USA won on Thursday, but the way they had to win should have us looking at Jokic with fresh eyes, open to the possibility he may actually be one of the greatest players in the game's history," observed one commentator.
As Team USA prepares for their final showdown against France, the focus will undoubtedly be on tightening their game and addressing the lapses that nearly cost them against Serbia. Meanwhile, Jokic and the Serbian team can hold their heads high, knowing they pushed one of the best teams to their limits and showcased the global competitiveness of modern basketball.