March 2021 Basketball Wiretap

Team USA Blows Out Czech Republic Behind Durant, Tatum

Jul 31, 2021 11:52 AM

Team USA completed a second straight dominating performance, as they rolled past Czech Republic 119-84. The United States was trailing 25-18 after the first quarter. The US then turned up the defense and got their offense rolling in the second half. After the break, USA had a 72-41 scoring margin.

Kevin Durant became USA Men's Basketball's all-time leading scoring in the victory. His 23 points pushed him past Carmelo Anthony for the top spot on the list.

Jayson Tatum led Team USA with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-10 from behind the arc.

Zach LaVine, Jrue Holiday and JaVale McGee all scored in double-figures for the US.

Tomas Satoransky of the Chicago Bulls had 12 points, six rebounds and eight assists for Czech Republic.

The United States now moves on to the knockout phase of the Olympics. Their first opponent in tournament play will be determined after group play finishes early next week.

ESPN

Tags: Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, United States, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Kevin Love Initiated Contact On Team USA Roster Spot, Thought He Was In Shape To Play

Jul 30, 2021 8:51 AM

Kevin Love withdrew from the United States' Olympics roster after he played poorly in two exhibition games while citing an injury.

Jerry Colangelo explained what happened with Love.

"I didn't think Kevin Love was going to play. I wasn't even sure he had much left to play," Colangelo said. "He reached out to us and said he was in shape and said he felt he owed us. And on the basis of that, we're looking at someone with international experience who at one time was a heck of a rebounder and could still shoot the ball. You know, being like a 12th man on a roster.

"Well, it didn't work out. He wasn't in shape. And he was way behind as it turned out. So you move on. Call it a mistake. Call it giving someone an opportunity. Someone who had equity with us."

Brian Windhorst shared on The Hoop Collective podcast on Friday that scouts were discussing how Love also looked bad during the Team USA practices. 

Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers could explore a buyout in the coming months.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Team USA Bounces Back With 54-point Drubbing Of Iran

Jul 28, 2021 8:28 AM

Team USA got their Olympics on track with a 120-66 blowout victory of Iran. The US was sparked by the insertion of Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday into the starting lineup. The two had played off the bench against France, after traveling to Japan directly after the NBA Finals.

USA was led by 21 points from Damian Lillard. Following the game, Lillard said "Being in the hotel, at meals and on the practice court and just talking after that loss, we came together. It's time to start looking like Team USA."

Booker scored 16 points in his start, while Holiday's defense sparked the team from the tip. Jayson Tatum scored 14 points and Zach LaVine had 13, both off the bench, as Team USA's depth overwhelmed Iran.

Former NBA player Hamed Haddadi led Iran with 15 points and six rebounds.

Team USA closes group play on Saturday against the Czech Republic. With a win, USA will advance to the knockout stage. Given their large margin of victory over Iran, USA could advance even with another shocking loss.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Damian Lillard, United States, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Luka Doncic Scores 48 Points In Olympic Debut

Jul 26, 2021 11:02 AM

Luka Doncic scored 48 points in his first ever game in the Olympics, leading Slovenia to a 118-100 victory over Argentina. Doncic checked out of the game with a few minutes left and decided not to chase Oscar Schmidt's record of 55 points set in 1988.

"I don't care about records," Doncic said. "We got a win and that's what we came here for."

Slovenia has been a country on the rise, winning the EuroBasket title in 2017 and then qualifying for Tokyo by winning one of the Olympic qualifying tournaments earlier this month.

ESPN

Tags: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Slovenia, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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France Beats United States In Opening Game Of Olympics

Jul 25, 2021 1:19 PM

The United States suffered their first loss in the Olympics since 2004, dropping a 83-76 game to France. The United States entered the game with a 25-game winning steak in the Olympics.

France overcame an eight-point deficit with four minutes to play and the win was sealed with an Evan Fournier three-pointer with a minute to play. Fournier finished the game with 28 points.

"I got to lead the team because I know these guys," Fournier said. "It's a hell of a win. Our country is going to be extremely proud. But it's just one game, to be honest."

"There's nothing to be surprised about," Team USA coach Gregg Popovich said before launching into what has become his go-to statement after losses.

"When you lose a game, you're not surprised. You're disappointed, but I don't understand the word surprised. That sort of disses the French team, so to speak, as if we're supposed to beat them by 30 or something. That's a hell of a team."

Popovich has overseen losses in five of the past eight games.

The Americans now will likely have to win their final two pool-play games against Iran and the Czech Republic to advance to the medal round.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: United States, France, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Zach LaVine Enters Team USA's COVID-19 Protocols

Jul 19, 2021 5:11 PM

Zach LaVine has entered the United' States health and safety protocols for COVID-19 and will not travel with the team on their trip to Tokyo for the Olympics.

Team USA hopes LaVine will be able to join the team later this week.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Zach LaVine, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Gregg Popovich: We've Been Preparing For France For Two Years

Jul 19, 2021 9:54 AM

The United States will open Olympic pool play on Sunday against France. Depending on when the Finals end and travel schedule, Team USA could play that game with just nine players.

"We've been preparing for France for two years," Gregg Popovich said on Sunday. "I think about it every day."

Team USA will add Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker and Khris Middleton upon the completion of The Finals.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Jerami Grant To Clear Quarantine, Travel With Team USA To Tokyo

Jul 19, 2021 8:54 AM

Jerami Grant will be cleared from quarantine and travel with the United States for the Tokyo Olympics.

Grant entered the Team USA health and safety protocols last week.

Team USA lost Bradley Beal to COVID-19 protocols last week.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Team USA Adds JaVale McGee, Keldon Johnson To Olympics Roster

Jul 16, 2021 3:30 PM

The United States has added JaVale McGee and Keldon Johnson to their 12-man roster for the Olympics. 

McGee and Johnson will replace Kevin Love and Bradley Beal.

Love is returning from a right calf injury that forced him out of the competition. Beal is in Team USA's COVID-19 protocols. 

McGee had been a finalist for the Team USA roster. Johnson has been playing with the Olympic team as a member of the USA Select team.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: JaVale McGee, Keldon Johnson, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Kevin Love Withdraws From Olympics, Team USA Down To Six Currently Available Players

Jul 16, 2021 11:02 AM

Kevin Love has withdrawn from the United States for the Tokyo Olympics, citing a calf injury.

"I am incredibly disappointed to not be heading to Tokyo with Team USA, but you need to be at absolute peak performance to compete at the Olympic level and I am just not there yet," said Love.

The United States will replace both Love and Bradley Beal on their roster. Jerami Grant is in quarantine while Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are still playing in The Finals.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Bradley Beal To Miss Tokyo Olympics Due To COVID-19 Protocols

Adrian Wojnarowski, Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Bradley Beal Enters Team USA's COVID-19 Protocols

Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Team USA Loses To Australia 91-83 In Exhibition

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Stephen Curry Calls Declining Olympics Invite 'A Hard Decision'

Nick Wagoner/ESPN