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US coach riled by question on his impact over 'dream team'
Source: Agencies |
August 12, 2012, Sunday
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UNITED States men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski is rarely rattled by anything on the hardcourt, but a question at his post-game press conference on Friday set him off.
Krzyzewski was asked after his reigning Olympic champion had beaten Argentina 109-83 to reach another gold medal game if his talented team actually required any coaching and could perhaps just be turned loose on the court.
"None. None. You got it. Absolutely none," the 65-year-old coach answered curtly.
"I'm out every night with my family, drunk as a skunk. Wait 'til you see me tonight. I'll get in at six. You're all invited to come out with me. We just roll out the damn ball. You got it. I don't know how you figured it out."
"I'm looking forward to that," said the press conference moderator, thinking about a night of revelry.
Krzyzewski, who has compiled the most wins by any Division 1 college basketball coach and steered Duke University to four national titles, has a record of 61-1 since taking over as US national coach in 2006 with an Olympic title and world championship crown on the resume.
His US team will battle Spain today for gold in a rematch of the 2008 final which the Americans won 118-107 in Beijing.
Spain beat Russia 67-59 in the other semifinal. Argentina and Russia battle for the bronze medal today.
"The final in 2008 was very competitive, very emotional," said Pau Gasol. "We felt we had a good chance and we fought throughout the game.
"We understand it's going to be difficult again. It's a huge opportunity. We are so fortunate that we have our second chance and so it's a matter of going out there and enjoying the moment and competing as hard as you can."
Argentina kept pace with the US team throughout the first half as it did in the preliminary round, trailing 40-47 despite falling behind 18-6 early in the game. After the break, Argentina faded under some relentless offensive firepower. Kevin Durant warmed up from three-point range and poured in four bombs as the US team stretched its lead to 17 points going into the fourth quarter.
Carmelo Anthony took the baton from Durant and rained threes in the last quarter, sinking four in short order to pad the lead to 93-62 before the US took its foot off the accelerator.
Pau Gasol and Jose Calderon rescued Spain after the break as the European champion rallied to beat Russia 67-59.
Spain lost two games in group play, including to Russia, but the team loaded with NBA players has risen to the occasion again when it matters. It beat France in a tense quarterfinal after trailing and did it again against Russia.
Gasol had 16 points and Calderon scored 12 of his 14 in the second half as Spain rallied from an 11-point deficit.
"I'm extremely proud of all we have accomplished as a team," coach Sergio Scariolo said. "That doesn't mean that our mission is over."
Spain trailed Russia by 13 in the first quarter and was still down by double digits in the third before showing why its the world's No. 2-ranked team. The Spaniards shot just 21 percent in the opening half, but recovered to keep alive their dreams of winning a first Olympic gold.
Krzyzewski was asked after his reigning Olympic champion had beaten Argentina 109-83 to reach another gold medal game if his talented team actually required any coaching and could perhaps just be turned loose on the court.
"None. None. You got it. Absolutely none," the 65-year-old coach answered curtly.
"I'm out every night with my family, drunk as a skunk. Wait 'til you see me tonight. I'll get in at six. You're all invited to come out with me. We just roll out the damn ball. You got it. I don't know how you figured it out."
"I'm looking forward to that," said the press conference moderator, thinking about a night of revelry.
Krzyzewski, who has compiled the most wins by any Division 1 college basketball coach and steered Duke University to four national titles, has a record of 61-1 since taking over as US national coach in 2006 with an Olympic title and world championship crown on the resume.
His US team will battle Spain today for gold in a rematch of the 2008 final which the Americans won 118-107 in Beijing.
Spain beat Russia 67-59 in the other semifinal. Argentina and Russia battle for the bronze medal today.
"The final in 2008 was very competitive, very emotional," said Pau Gasol. "We felt we had a good chance and we fought throughout the game.
"We understand it's going to be difficult again. It's a huge opportunity. We are so fortunate that we have our second chance and so it's a matter of going out there and enjoying the moment and competing as hard as you can."
Argentina kept pace with the US team throughout the first half as it did in the preliminary round, trailing 40-47 despite falling behind 18-6 early in the game. After the break, Argentina faded under some relentless offensive firepower. Kevin Durant warmed up from three-point range and poured in four bombs as the US team stretched its lead to 17 points going into the fourth quarter.
Carmelo Anthony took the baton from Durant and rained threes in the last quarter, sinking four in short order to pad the lead to 93-62 before the US took its foot off the accelerator.
Pau Gasol and Jose Calderon rescued Spain after the break as the European champion rallied to beat Russia 67-59.
Spain lost two games in group play, including to Russia, but the team loaded with NBA players has risen to the occasion again when it matters. It beat France in a tense quarterfinal after trailing and did it again against Russia.
Gasol had 16 points and Calderon scored 12 of his 14 in the second half as Spain rallied from an 11-point deficit.
"I'm extremely proud of all we have accomplished as a team," coach Sergio Scariolo said. "That doesn't mean that our mission is over."
Spain trailed Russia by 13 in the first quarter and was still down by double digits in the third before showing why its the world's No. 2-ranked team. The Spaniards shot just 21 percent in the opening half, but recovered to keep alive their dreams of winning a first Olympic gold.
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