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Durant fires US on top of the world
Source: Agencies |
September 14, 2010, Tuesday
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WORLD championship favorite the United States ended a long wait by beating Turkey 81-64 in the final in Turkey on Sunday to win its first title in 16 years, thanks to inspirational forward Kevin Durant.
Still only 21 and coming off his third professional season, the Oklahoma Thunder prodigy won the tournament's Most Valuable Player award with a series of majestic performances.
Easing past his markers to score from a wide range of positions, Durant racked up 28 points in the final, including 20 in the first half after the host had taken an early 17-14 lead.
Durant buried one three-pointer after another to give the US a 42-32 lead at halftime and his Oklahoma teammate Russel Westbrook provided excellent support with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.
"I am happy to come home with a gold medal and I was blessed for such a coach as Coach K," said Durant, referring to US coach Mike Krzyzedwski who also steered the Americans to the 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing.
"I was put in a great position to come here and be one of the main players, I took the challenge and it was a tough task to prepare for the international game.
"Calling us a B-team was great motivation because it (that label) was coming back from the United States," added Durant, who emerged as the team leader through the absence of household names such as Kobe Bryant and Lebron James.
Los Angeles center Lamar Odom chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds as the United states dominated in all departments, collecting 42 rebounds and forcing 14 turnovers.
Phoenix Suns forward Hidayet Turkoglu, who limped to the dressing room after a first-half collision, returned with his strapped knee to lead Turkey with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Although it was outclassed by an athletic US team superior in individual skill and ability, the Turks still had plenty to cheer about after securing a maiden podium finish in their third world championship.
They got a standing ovation from the passionate home fans in the Sinan Erdem Dome, which had put the wind in their sails in every match during their 8-0 run leading up to the final.
But the Turks had no answer to Durant and seemed sapped of energy after Saturday's dramatic semifinal win over Serbia, when they scored on the buzzer to turn looming defeat into victory.
"No one expected us to get this far when the tournament started and I was proud to be the captain of this team as I was honoured to be a part of it," said Turkoglu.
"We weren't at our best tonight or last night against Serbia but I told the guys to just relax and enjoy the game because, win or lose, that's the most important thing," he added.
Lithuania, brushed aside by the US in the other semi-final, bounced back to win the bronze medal with a 99-88 win over Serbia earlier on Sunday.
Versatile forward Linas Kleiza shone with 33 points for Lithuania, which will host next year's European championship.
Still only 21 and coming off his third professional season, the Oklahoma Thunder prodigy won the tournament's Most Valuable Player award with a series of majestic performances.
Easing past his markers to score from a wide range of positions, Durant racked up 28 points in the final, including 20 in the first half after the host had taken an early 17-14 lead.
Durant buried one three-pointer after another to give the US a 42-32 lead at halftime and his Oklahoma teammate Russel Westbrook provided excellent support with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.
"I am happy to come home with a gold medal and I was blessed for such a coach as Coach K," said Durant, referring to US coach Mike Krzyzedwski who also steered the Americans to the 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing.
"I was put in a great position to come here and be one of the main players, I took the challenge and it was a tough task to prepare for the international game.
"Calling us a B-team was great motivation because it (that label) was coming back from the United States," added Durant, who emerged as the team leader through the absence of household names such as Kobe Bryant and Lebron James.
Los Angeles center Lamar Odom chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds as the United states dominated in all departments, collecting 42 rebounds and forcing 14 turnovers.
Phoenix Suns forward Hidayet Turkoglu, who limped to the dressing room after a first-half collision, returned with his strapped knee to lead Turkey with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Although it was outclassed by an athletic US team superior in individual skill and ability, the Turks still had plenty to cheer about after securing a maiden podium finish in their third world championship.
They got a standing ovation from the passionate home fans in the Sinan Erdem Dome, which had put the wind in their sails in every match during their 8-0 run leading up to the final.
But the Turks had no answer to Durant and seemed sapped of energy after Saturday's dramatic semifinal win over Serbia, when they scored on the buzzer to turn looming defeat into victory.
"No one expected us to get this far when the tournament started and I was proud to be the captain of this team as I was honoured to be a part of it," said Turkoglu.
"We weren't at our best tonight or last night against Serbia but I told the guys to just relax and enjoy the game because, win or lose, that's the most important thing," he added.
Lithuania, brushed aside by the US in the other semi-final, bounced back to win the bronze medal with a 99-88 win over Serbia earlier on Sunday.
Versatile forward Linas Kleiza shone with 33 points for Lithuania, which will host next year's European championship.
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