The US national basketball team started their preparations for the Olympic Games with a surprising defeat against German group opponents Nigeria. The team around NBA superstar Kevin Durant conceded an 87:90 (43:41) in Las Vegas in its first bankruptcy ever against an African team.
“In a way, I’m glad it turned out that way,” said US coach Gregg Popovich: “It means nothing if we don’t learn from it.” The top scorer in the USA was Durant with 17 points, while Gabe Vincent from the Miami Heat scored 21 points for Nigeria.
Since 1992, when professionals were eligible to play for the USA, it was only the third defeat in the 57th test match for the record Olympic champion, who is currently still three players missing due to the parallel finals in the NBA professional league.
“Not the end of the world”
Nigeria, which had seven NBA professionals, received a 73: 156 slap against the USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The last comparison five years ago went to the USA with a 43 point lead.
“I don’t think anyone should pretend, and we won’t pretend this is the end of the world,” said Popovich, who only had four training sessions with the team before the game.
At the Summer Games in Tokyo (July 23 to August 8), the USA will meet France, Iran and the Czech Republic in Group A. Nigeria will face Germany, Italy and Australia in Group B. Australia is also the USA’s next opponent in preparation for Monday. (AFP)