USA Basketball 2014 World Cup: #SplashBrothers Highlights In Comeback Over Turkey (Photo: @letsgowarriors Instagram account via LetsGoWarriors.com/NBA.com)
BILBAO EXHIBITION CENTER, BILBAO, SPAIN — USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team (#USABMNT) tried to ride the momentum of a 59-point drubbing of Finland last night, but Turkey weathered the on-ball pressure, used their long legs to cover ground in the interior, and, coupled with several unforced turnovers by #TeamUSA, made a game of it.
FIRST QUARTER
Things got off to another auspicious start for Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who was in the starting five again alongside Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Anthony Davis, and Kenneth Faried.
Curry had an early step-back three-point attempt that will go in the record books as an airball miss, but in our memories as a foul as he was hacked on the opposite arm. However, Curry got the Turks back as he made a steal, a move to avoid two defenders in transition — which drew oohs and aahs from the crowd — and found Faried for a lob slam.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski then subbed all five starters out and Warriors’ shooting guard Klay Thompson got a chance for a couple shots, but couldn’t find his rhythm.
Soon after, Curry checked back in and #SplashBrothers was primed and ready. However, the quarter ended with the score tied 16-16 as Turkey employed a zone which neither the #SplashBrothers nor anyone else on Team USA could counter. Curry was credited with 4 steals in the quarter, but the #SplashBros were a combined 0-for-6 from downtown.
SECOND QUARTER
Early in the 2nd, Curry finally hit a three, after which he slammed his hands on his thighs as if to say, “Finally!” He had missed all of his three-point attempts in the previous game against Finland.
Harden picked up his third foul later in the quarter and #SplashBrothers got another chance.
Curry delivered a nice pass to Cousins after shaking-and-baking his defender, got another assist to Faried, then participated in a hockey assist with Cousins-to-Faried.
Meanwhile, Thompson buried a three after getting scored on the same way.
However, Team USA couldn’t adjust to the referees and continued to get called for ticky-tack hacks, and with Harden on the bench with three fouls and Davis with two, Turkey took a 40-35 lead into halftime. #USABMNT had committed 9 turnovers and 14 fouls in the first half.
THIRD QUARTER
With Davis and Harden back starting the 2nd half, USA took the lead momentarily, starting with a Davis and-one on the first possession and more offense by Davis, Harden, and Faried.
Curry delighted the international Bilbao crowd, however much of it filled with Turkish fans decked out in red, locking in with a fly-by three-pointer in which he let the defender jump past, then calmly drained the corner three.
He later got a key steal, but then was called for double-dribble as he was man-handled on the sideline with the defender trying to stop the fastbreak. Curry had had several disagreements with this particular ref all game long.
Near the end of the third, Curry got a breakaway layup but, in traffic, couldn’t convert the running layup right-to-left, with his right hand. As the quarter ended, he shook his head in disbelief, heading to the bench.
USA took a 66-60 lead into the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Thompson got into rhythm early with corner three thanks to a cross-court laser beam by Harden. Even more in rhythm was Davis and Faried, who’s relentless off-ball cuts to the basket helped USA stretch out a lead that reached as high as twenty.
With about seven minutes remaining, Thompson found himself with a right-handed dribble drive attack from the top, then had the presence of mind to throw a no-look lob that Davis hammered down.
It made you wonder if Klay’s critics hadn’t taken into account that he hasn’t been playing with athletic 4’s or 5’s that can finish, although only a minority of players have, as Davis remains at or near the top of that short list.
USA re-asserted its dominance with Davis and Harden, along with the hustle and force of Faried, who led the team with 22 rebounds, with a 98-77 victory.
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