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Introduction Good morning! Show some urgency today.
Legend: Four MVPs, one immortal victory
There are close games, and then there are games that are dramatic enough to be remembered for a long time. Team USA’s win against Serbia yesterday was really only due to a quarter of a game.
Let’s zoom in:
- For three quarters, this semifinal game was the worst loss in U.S. Olympic basketball history. Nothing worked for Team USA, and Bogdan Bogdanovic became a monster. The most talented roster in U.S. Olympic history has gone down badly. At one point it fell by 17 points.
- Let us remember the fourth quarter. Four former NBA MVPs — LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid — all played in their prime. They played well together and had an incredible stretch.
- Curry is especially vintageScored 36 points and hit nine 3-pointers in the game. James added a triple-double. Durant had a big bucket in crunch time. Embiid scored 19 points.
A collective goosebumps spread across social media after the uproar. James, Curry and Durant – three of the top 15 NBA players All the time – Playing like this in the same team that represents their country is great. Team USA coach Steve Kerr said, “I’m very humbled to be a part of this game.” Same, but from my bed.
Next up, for Saturday’s gold medal: Hosts France beat Germany in another tight semi-final. The Americans are the favorites, and the focus will be on Embiid, who spurned the French to play for Team USA. Do not let the vembi get hot.
Elsewhere, four Americans who won medals yesterday:
News to know
Jones says there is no ‘urgency’ for a Lamb deal
There is no NFL owner quite like Jerry Jones said yesterday He has no “sense of urgency” to sign a contract — a training camp holdout. Jones made similar comments about running back Ezekiel Elliott before signing him to a big contract in 2019. “I was in Nobu two days ago. Put that down as a reason (for stalled talks),” Jones said.
More news
Presenters: The new sport of the Paris Olympics
A game available War On the official Olympic schedule? Sign us up. Meat breaking is the only new game among these games. A little background:
- An An urban dance style, it involves acrobatic movements and stylized footworkBraking was born out of block parties in the Bronx in the 1970s. (Call it the “breakdance.” at your own risk unrelated sound.)
- Athletes are referred to as B-boys and B-girls, with the “B” standing for — that’s right — breaking.
- At the Olympics, athletes will freestyle, improvising and adapting their movements to the beat of a DJ. They won’t know until the match starts. I fear for them, honestly.
Format: Sixteen B-boys and B-girls, respectively, will go head-to-head, starting in a round-robin. This will be followed by the quarter finals, semi finals and medal round.
Some Americans see: 30-year-old Victor Montalvo (“B-Boy Victor”) is currently the world’s top-ranked American men’s breaker. On the women’s side, Sunny Choi, 35, a former Estee Lauder executive who won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, quit her day job and won gold.
David Aldridge wrote a great story earlier this week, A Deep History of Fractures, that you should read. Battles begin today at 10 a.m. ET.
Feedback Loop: We’ve split on Snoop
As you can see above, many of you can’t get enough of Snoop Dogg at the Olympics. But a little more of you thinks he’s a little too much.
Two thoughts:
- I agree with the majority, but it may be narrower. I love Snoop Dogg. People love Snoop Dogg. NBC clearly loves Snoop Dogg. We should let people enjoy, right?
- Reader James F. MMaybe it’s just the right amount of Snoop. No more, no less. A third option might have been better.
Thanks, as always, for voting.
Olympic Headquarters
What to see
East at all times
Three more days. Today on the platform:
- Women’s Basketball Semifinals: Team USA vs. Australia, NBC and Peacock at 11:30 a.m
- breaking, 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Peacock
- Track and Field: Men’s and Women’s 4×100 Relay, NBC and Peacock at 1:30 p.m
Other medals decided today: Swimming, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Sport Climbing, Sailing, Canoeing, Weightlifting, Field Hockey, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Water Polo, Football, Volleyball, Cycling, Wrestling, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball and Boxing.
Number of medals
- 🇺🇸 USA — 103 (30 gold, 38 silver, 35 bronze)
- 🇨🇳 China – 73 (29 Gold, 25 Silver, 19 Bronze)
- 🇫🇷 France – 54 (14 Gold, 19 Silver, 21 Bronze)
Pulse picks
Two years ago, Tua Tagovailoa Look in the mirror and ask, “Do I suck?” After two wonderful years under the coach, his mindset has changed Mike McDanielWho restored perfection Dolphins Blame his QB’s left-handedness. Make time today for the compelling story of Jordan Rodrigue.
Austin Mock analyzes Cowherd warriors Can actually pay Doc Prescott Austin considers the “broken” QB economy. Good reading.
Can it reach other parts of the world? Team USA Inside Women’s basketball? Our experts aren’t sure.
I missed Dana O’Neill’s story Olympic Skateboarding Competition, it is Sounds like a good time.
Yesterday’s newsletter was clicked on the most: Our story on Quincy Hall’s 400m comeback victory yesterday… And his beef with Noah Lyles. Spicy.
Most read on the web yesterday: Did the NCAA Really Punish Jim Harbaugh for a Cheeseburger?
Great podcast Athletic network: Scoop City featured DeMeco Ryans, now the most qualified coach in the NFL. To talk about the Texans’ aggressive goals.
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(Top photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
