July 11, (THEWILL) – The determination of coach Mike Brown to make D’Tigers world beaters, which was demonstrated when they became the first team to book a ticket to the Olympics after defeating China 86-73 at the 2019 FIBA men’s World Cup, was again evident on Saturday night when they stunned the USA 90-87 in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Arena.
It was an upset that was not on the cards. The victory of Brown’s team is testament of the intensity that the coach, who is also the Associate Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, has not stopped praising since taking up the responsibility to lead D’Tigers to Olympic glory in Tokyo.
He has done the hard work of assembling a roster of little-known NBA players and groomed them to play as a cohesive unit. Their link up play and guard stance, evident in the contest, will keep them in good standing at the Olympics, if they continue to play as they did brilliantly against the All-NBA, All-Star and max-contract performers of the US team.
Against this cast of superstars, players like Ike Iroegbu, who formerly played for Washington State University and who spent some time in the G League, Gabe Nnamdi also from the G League but playing for the Miami Heat with teammate Precious Achiuwa were outstanding in the final moments and kept the match competitive to the end.
Iroegbu’s 3-pointer put Nigeria up 88-80 with only over a minute left to play. Although Kevin Durant scored the next seven points for the U.S.; a 3-pointer, two free throws following a turnover, and two more from the line with 16.5 seconds remaining there was still time for Nigeria to grab victory.
Two foul shots by Nnamdi restored Nigeria’s 3-point gap with 13.2 seconds left on the board. Possession play by the US without getting any shots only made it tough for them to recover and wasted free throws by Zach LaVine did not help, Achiuwa got the final rebound for Nigeria, to claim the seemingly impossible feat of beating Team US in the court.
It definitely was a strong statement by coach Brown and his determined team of Nigerian players and it was obviously a stunned American team that left the court. It may not have come in the context of a competition, but it was still an upset which U.S. coach Gregg Popovich will acknowledge as he shook hands with Brown at the end.
In 39 matches and through three Olympics the US team have maintained an untouchable invincibility. This record included pre-Olympic exhibitions such as they played on Saturday against D’Tigers. The strength of their pedigree was clear as they had only tasted defeat twice in their previous 54 games in major exhibitions since NBA players began playing for USA Basketball in 1992.
To rub in the difference that Brown has brought to the Nigerian team, two previous head-to-head with Nigeria had seen the US Basketball team take a combined 127 points in what used to be a largely one-sided contest. D’Tigers will now put those two disappointing performances at the 2012 London Games, the other at a warm-up for the 2016 Rio Games behind them as they get into Tokyo.
Brown has not hidden his admiration for the Nigerian team he has put together for the Games. Their talents and passion have given him the confidence that the team will not be going to the Tokyo Olympics to add to the number because their goal is to make a mark with an unforgettable participation as they target a medal finish. This will boost their confidence.
The coach will announce his final squad on July 17. Thereafter, D’Tigers will leave for Kizarazu city in Japan two days later for the Pre-Games training camp, before moving into the Olympics Village proper ahead of their Group B fixtures where they will play Italy, Germany and Australia.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
