DeAndre Jordan Leading Improved Team USA Defense Into Gold Medal Game Against Serbia
BOSTON (CBS) – For the majority of the 2016 Olympic Men's Basketball Tournament, the defensive effort from Team USA has been a major issue. With 10 first-time Olympians on the roster, the talented group of All-Stars has failed to mesh at times against experienced countries that have been playing together for years.
Despite their superior talent level, the Americans allowed over 88 points over 40 minutes against three teams (France, Australia, Spain) that just have a few quality NBA caliber players. The lack of resistance showed by the Americans resulted in a few close calls in pool play, as both France and Serbia had legitimate shots to upset the heavy favorites. Whether it was losing men on backdoor cuts, rotating properly on the perimeter or failing to contain the pick-and-roll against speedy guards, Team USA was getting diced up leading into the medal round.
After dismantling the over-matched Argentinians in the quarterfinals, the panic button was on alert on Friday as Team USA faced their stiffest test of the tournament in Spain. Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio, and Nikola Mirotic headlined the squad that has given Team USA fits in past Olympics. However, that was not the case in Rio Friday afternoon as the Americans comfortably beat the Spaniards 82-76 to clinch a spot in the Gold Medal game via an unlikely formula: its defense.
The high-powered Spain offense shot a paltry 38 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from downtown as they dealt with defensive energy all game long, primarily from the likes of DeAndre Jordan.
The Clippers center had been coming off the bench for the majority of the tournament for Mike Krzyzewski, but with DeMarcus Cousins facing regular foul trouble he earned the nod against Spain's formidable frontline. Jordan did not disappoint, setting the tone for Team USA with nine points, 16 rebounds and four blocks in 27 minutes of action while patrolling the paint in the crucial win.
Spain's head coach Sergio Scariolo pointed directly to "Rebounds, blocks, intimidation," after the contest in accounting for the difference maker in the win.
Jordan and his teammates will have to double down on doing the little things defensively as they prepare for a showdown against Nikola Jokic, Bogan Bogdanovic and a Serbia team that nearly knocked off Team USA in pool play earlier this week.
"Serbia came within a whisker of beating us in our pool play so we absolutely respect them," said Mike Krzyzewski told reporters in Rio Saturday. "We know how good they are. They'll be very, very difficult for us."
It will be up to Jordan, Kevin Durant and co. to try to send Coach K off on a winning note in what will be his final game as Team USA head coach.
Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.
