Green Bay HC Doug Gottlieb expresses discontentment with LeBron James' gameplay during matchup against Serbia
Even though LeBron James and Kevin Durant got the job done against Serbia in their Olympics opener, Doug Gottlieb was not happy with the way James operated in the second half. The USA led 58-49 at halftime behind Durant's 21 quick points. As Serbia looked to cut the lead, James gripped the orchestrating role to ensure their lead persisted.
However, as the game went on, Doug Goutlieb displayed reservations about how much James was controlling the ball through a post on X. Here's what the University of Wisconsin head coach had to say:
"LeBron is holding the ball way too long in the half court. Ball just sticks," he quipped.
James opened the third quarter with a layup assisted by Devin Booker. However, due to his success at the point role in Team USA's pre-Olympic exhibition games, he was seen getting consistent ball touches.
One of the reasons behind Doug Gottlieb's discontentment could be that Team USA deployed 26-point quarters in the second half. Moreover, even though LeBron James garnered three assists in the third quarter, he did not replicate it in the fourth. He made a stat-sheet impact nearly midway through the last quarter and assisted on only one play.
Nevertheless, LeBron James' step back from leading the squad enabled the roster to gain a feel for the game. As Kevin Durant led with 23 points in his first-ever stint with the 2024 team, starters Booker and Holiday could play more aggressively in the second half.
LeBron James and Team USA gearing up for tough Olympic challenge
Serbia was seen as one of the most threatening teams for Team USA's quest for gold. However, the star-studded team dismantled them early. Nevertheless, the same might not occur when they play a young South Sudan on July 31.
Most of it has to do with South Sudan's ability to adapt and maintain a high standard of play against the USA from tip-off to the last buzzer. Team USA is known to win close games because of their athleticism and talent in the last stretch of the game. Interestingly, South Sudan might be the only team that could match their athleticism and versatility throughout the rotation.
A sample of it came on July 20, when South Sudan posted a 16-point deficit against the USA. It took high efforts from Lakers' duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis to get them out of the rut and possibly, what could have been, the worst loss in Team USA history.
South Sudan has already garnered their first-ever Olympic win, posting a 90-79 win over Puerto Rico and will bring their A-game on Wednesday.