France beat the U.S. with 28 points lead from Evan Fournier on a 16-2 run, in a victory that doesnt seem too surprising. Even after three consecutive gold medals in the Olympics, it looks like top international teams no longer fear the Americans.
The U.S.s 25-game Olympic winning streak is now over after France defeated the team 83-76 in the Tokyo Games. It is all thanks to the 3-pointer Evan Fournier made that lead France ahead for good, while the final minutes saw the Americans fall apart.
According to Fournier, the Americans are better individually. However, they can be beaten as a team. This statement seems true, as proven by the U.S.s alarming regular defeat in the last two years. The Americans record only 3-5 in their last eight games, even when their lineup includes NBA players.
U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said that its a bit of hubris to think that the Americans simply have to roll out the balls and then will. He stressed that they have to work for it the same as everyone else. Their recent loss is the sixth time in 144 games at the Olympics all-time and 53-4 with N.B.A. players.