By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Serbia star guard Vasilije Micic’s main takeaway from the blowout loss to USA Basketball in their opening game for the Olympic Games basketball tournament is that he and his teammates should play smarter and less emotionally.
“We just play a little bit with emotion, I would say,” Micic told Eurohoops. “I think we all wanted to play the best way. There is no doubt about that. I don’t think that anybody wanted to harm the team, but we have to be more clever. We have to use our main weapons. That’s all. I would say just that.”
Serbia opened the game up 10 – 2 but their opponents quickly caught up to go up in the score. Thanks to a fantastic first-half performance of 21 points on 8-8 shots by Kevin Durant, USA closed halftime ahead 59 – 48.
KD, LeBron and the rest of the USA guys remained in control and made the game a rout down the stretch.
“We have to watch the game,” Micic mentioned. The Charlotte Hornets guard finished with 11 points on just 3 – 10 from the field. “There are some specifics that we have to improve. It’s not an easy thing to improve during the competition and preparation within just 20 days, but no time for excuses and no time to cry.
“There is some room to improve, and I think if we play more calmly, that will be our weapon,” Micic added.
Serbia could have a chance for a rematch against the USA, maybe in the gold-medal game. It’s something Micic obviously wants to see happen.
“Of course. This is everyone’s wish,” Micic said.
Photo: FIBA Basketball