USA demolishes Brazil to reach semifinals behind Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards efforts

Even still, Booker said, his support for a countryman outweighed any residue that might have remained from Lyles’ comment. “The statement was said,” Booker said. “I think how it was said — you know, it was just out of context. I feel like it was something that was weighing on his heart for a long time. He’s gained a following since then. He held it down, though, so congrats to him.” Booker wasn’t the only Team USA men’s basketball participant who witnessed the incredible event in person. He was joined by the team’s managing director and former NBA player Grant Hill, assistant coach Tyronn Lue and teammates Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum. “That was dope,” Tatum said of the evening at Stade de France. “That was my first ever track and field event.” -via New York Times / August 5, 2024

A day after Noah Lyles’ photo-finish win in the men’s 100-meter final, the city was still buzzing about the thrilling way in which the audacious 27-year-old American won Olympic gold. That included Team USA men’s basketball practice at Marcel Cerdan Sports Complex, where most players and coaches had to live vicariously through those who were there because they did not attend in person. But one of the players who did attend, and who enjoyed seeing Lyles back up all that braggadocio in a race won by a remarkable five one-thousandths of a second over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, was Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. “It was crazy,” Booker said. “I mean, it was great for America. Congrats to him.” -via New York Times / August 5, 2024

As Devin Booker acknowledged, though, there was a fascinating NBA backdrop to the event that was impossible to ignore. Last summer, after Noah Lyles won the 100-meter final at the World Championships in Budapest and sat at the podium for his post-race news conference, he took issue with the fact that NBA champions are often referred to as “world champions.” The comment went viral, with American players such as Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and, yes, Booker (who tweeted a face-palm emoji) sharing their disagreement on social media. Others, among them Greece native and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, agreed with Lyles’ idea that, with all 30 NBA teams based in North America, the team that wins it all should be considered a league champion. With that context in mind, how did Booker find the experience? “I still don’t agree with the comment,” Booker told The Athletic. “I feel like all the best talent in the world is in the NBA, and this is coming from an Olympic gold medalist (who believes) that being an NBA champion is probably harder to do.” -via New York Times / August 5, 2024

Said Kerr on Edwards: “This has been a great experience for him. He loves Kevin. Kevin is his idol. He is learning from him. We’re trying to help him take another step. He is a very young player. The talent is overwhelming. And as he continues to learn how to use it and be efficient with his play, he will be unguardable.” -via Andscape / August 4, 2024

The Atlanta native has been enjoying the European vibe in France, including, as he mentioned, hanging out in a night club in Paris. The Minnesota Timberwolves star has bonded with the USA female tennis table team after playfully talking trash with them on the boat during Aug. 26’s opening ceremony. He is getting to play with his childhood idol Kevin Durant. And during USA’s 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico, he enjoyed his best Olympic performance so far with 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting, three made 3-pointers and a long-awaited windmill dunk. “Anthony can score any time in any situation,” USA head coach Steve Kerr said. “That is the benefit of a guy like that. In a tight situation where you need a shot, he can get one.” -via Andscape / August 4, 2024

Edwards and Team USA enter the men’s quarterfinals on Tuesday night in Paris as a top seed. The Americans will host the brawny Brazilians, and a triumph draws a semifinals appearance against the Australia-Serbia winner. France, Canada, Germany and Greece are on the other side of the bracket. Undefeated USA has played solid basketball, but Edwards believes there is a higher level. “It’s the knockout rounds, all the teams that are really good teams,” Edwards said. “They got NBA players. They compete at a high level. They’re supposed to be hard.” “I feel like we are playing good,” he continued. “I got to clean up the sloppy turnovers. My bad. Pass the ball a little more. Defend a little better. But we will be all right.” -via Andscape / August 4, 2024