Sport
London 2012: Kevin Durant scores 22, as USA routs France 98-71
The U.S. team’s lead ballooned to 78-51 after three quarters, allowing Krzyzewski to rest Bryant, James and Durant for most of the fourth quarter. With the game well in hand, Krzyzewski even gave 19-year-old Anthony Davis, the top pick in June’s NBA draft, his first taste of Olympic play.
Durant had struggled to score during a recent exhibition tour, prompting James to give his close friend and teammate a pep talk.
“I told Kevin Durant to be himself,” James said. “We need the Kevin Durant who scores. We don’t need the Kevin Durant who defers.”
Unlike his peers, Krzyzewski has the luxury of a deep bench and he was forced to go it early and often in the first half, when the Americans got into four trouble. They were called for 18 personals and complained about some of the calls. Anthony and Russell Westbrook spent the final six minutes of the second quarter on the bench after picking up their third fouls.
“There were a lot of calls that didn’t seem right,” Anthony said. “One time down the floor they called it this way and one time they called it that way.”
Along with the questionable calls, the Americans took some curious shots early on, and when France’s Yannick Bokolo drained a 3 in the final second of the first quarter, France was within 22-21.
Nicolas Batum, who plays for Portland, thought the U.S. might “panic.”
But James opened the second quarter with a 3, the U.S. quickly went on an 11-0 run and by midway through the third, Bryant and Co. restored order.
As the U.S. reserves scored on dunk after dunk in the fourth, James and Bryant laughed lounged on the bench.
They know there will be tougher games ahead.
