Serbia had the American dynasty in men’s basketball on the ropes in the fourth quarter of their semifinals matchup in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Serbians had the best player in the world on their side in Nikola Jokic, and his teammates were knocking down roughly half of their three-pointers. Serbia led almost the entire game, holding a double-digits lead on Team USA entering both the third and fourth quarters.
As Serbia was building its lead, Bogdan Bogdanovic ripped a three-pointer, stared down Team USA legend Carmelo Anthony sitting courtside, and did Melo’s old signature ‘3 to the head’ celebration. The Serbian momentum felt unstoppable in that moment.
The United States roared back to beat Serbia, 95-91, to punch its ticket to the gold medal game against France on Saturday. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant took over down the stretch. USA head coach Steve Kerr called it one of the greatest games he’s ever been apart of, and a day later everyone is still catching their breath at the frantic close that put the U.S. on top.
One of the best moments from the late game takeover came when Durant appeared to take direction from Anthony on the sideline. With the United States leading by two points with under a minute to play, Durant took the ball at the top of the key. Anthony was waiving his arms on the sideline appearing to call for an isolation. Durant waved off the screener, and went to work. He pulled up for a long two-pointer that swished through the net and secured the win for the U.S. Watch the video here:
Don’t insult Carmelo Anthony. James and Anthony shared a moment after the game:
Fans were marveling at the way Team USA turned it on after Bogdanovic talked trash to an Olympic basketball legend.
I’m still dying at Bron activating when Bogdanović started talking to melo
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) August 8, 2024
melo as team USA’s third base coach is unreal
— Rembert Browne (@rembert) August 8, 2024
Bogdanovic was completely devastated after the loss:
Eight years ago at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the U.S. beat Serbia in the gold medal. During that bout, Anthony hit a three-pointer and did his signature celebration directed at Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic apparently held onto that moment ever since.
The Serbians almost did it, they almost delivered the ultimate embarrassment to the U.S. Somehow, Team USA pulled it off.
