FIBA Worlds: USA One Step to the Gold
USA Kevin Durant marked the 9.11 day with a good note. He contributed once again to team’s clear progress at the Turkey Worlds. The US team defeated Lithuania 89-74 to dominate the Europeans in three of the four quarters. Durant and Co. had a tremendous start to lead Lithuanians 23-12 in the first quarter and finished the other enough to ensure the victory and put Krzyzewski squad into the final the Americans didn’t win for more than 15 years. Durant scored 17 points only in the first quarter but to continue and surpass Carmelo Anthony record of the most points scored at the Worlds.
Thus, Durant’s average went up to 22.1 points per game, the best record for an American. He dedicated the victory to those whom the World Trade Center tragedy affected years ago. “I just wanted to remember everybody back in the States, everybody that was affected by 9/11. And to play on this day was a great honor and we just tried to do our best to play hard for our country and our families,” Durant would say after the game. His impressive record and showing at the Worlds touched NBA team mate Russell Westbrook who said that he is not surprised by Durant’s performance. “I’ve seen him score 45, 35, back-to-back. It doesn’t surprise me at all what he’s been doing.” With this win, USA have the chance of winning the title. They will play Serbia on Sunday. Arrived with the B-Team in Turkey, the many didn’t expect but rather have seen shocked by the American progress into the final. “That’s what we came here to do. We’re a young team and we fight through a lot of adversity and that’s what we’re here for, to win the gold,” guard Eric Gordon declared.
It was the same Durant who posted on his Twitter profile an emotional message regarding the affected of the 911. “May God bless those who were affected by the events on Sept 11, 2001….9-11-01 on my shoes tonight. You guys will watch over us.” However, Lithuania’s loss was assumed by coach Kestutis Kemzura who admitted the Americans played better, but also praised Durant. “They did a great job on our leader, Linas Kleiza. We couldn’t find a solution on their star Kevin Durant. He was unstoppable today.” Most of the Americans played thinking about the 9.11 calendar date. Odom claimed also that it was an incredible moment for him and his team mates to bring celebration in a dramatic day. “So to be playing and representing your country, it’s a big deal.” Finally, simply everyone gravitated around Durant. Gordon showed sure the player cannot be guarded by anyone. “Really nobody can guard him, really. He’s like that in the NBA and it’s translating over here.” Thus, Durant is the reason the US team get finally the gold.
