USA basketball’s comeback vs. Serbia shows Olympic domination near end

PARIS — We need to get used to this.
We need to feel the tension, the stakes, the possession-by-possession intensity that has been missing from Olympic basketball for the past 20 years. We need to understand that what we saw at Bercy Arena on Thursday in an epic semifinal against Serbia – not utter domination – is the new normal.
Little by little, the world is coming for Team USA. They’re almost there.
Just not yet.
Somehow, at the very moment it looked like this team of at least six future Hall of Famers was ready to be buried, it resurrected. Somehow, when one of the most disheartening defeats in the history of American basketball was looming over their heads, they held off the guillotine.
After storming back for a 95-91 victory, Team USA will play France for the gold medal on Saturday. Better not take anything for granted. Not now, and probably not for the rest of our lives.
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America’s advantage in international basketball is now skinnier than Kevin Durant and less durable than Joel Embiid.
It was there for Team USA in the fourth quarter when they needed it this time. But for how long?
Serbia was more than worthy. For three quarters, it was the better team. And yet, this generation of American stars – Durant, Steph Curry, Embiid and most of all LeBron James – were able to stave off humiliation one more time.
They did it despite trailing by as many as 17 in the first half and by 13 going into the fourth. They did it with some good fortune.
Down 11 as the clock steamed toward seven minutes left and showing few signs of a comeback, Durant hit a 3-pointer while a pile of bodies went down in front of him. Referees determined that Nikola Jokic, the three-time NBA most valuable player, had crashed into Anthony Davis, giving Team USA the ball back.
Then Devin Booker made a three. Just like that, after more than 30 minutes of sloppy and undisciplined basketball, the US re-engaged. Durant, Embiid, James. Durant, Embiid, James. It was an onslaught of size and shooting that Serbia, finally, could not combat. Even then, it took until the final 10 seconds for the US to feel safe.
When the US lost in Athens in 2004, that was about the dysfunction of USA Basketball, not the world catching up. When the US had tough battles with Spain in 2008 and 2016, it was the only team in the world that could play on America’s level.
But over the past two Olympics, it feels like the margin is gone. And when stars like James, Curry and Durant age out of Team USA, there’s going to be a lot of work to do to maintain supremacy on this stage.
The US is going to be heavily favored to beat France in the gold-medal game. But after watching Serbia stand nearly toe-to-toe with Team USA, that’s a luxury we won’t have much longer.
Follow columnist Dan Wolken on social media @DanWolken
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