Andres Kudacki / AP
Spain’s King Felipe applauds as the United States’ James Harden lifts the trophy alongside the rest of the team players as they celebrate winning the final of the World Cup Basketball match between the United States and Serbia at Palacio de los Deportes stadium Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, in Madrid, Spain.
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 | 7:18 p.m.
MADRID — USA Basketball made it look easy Sunday at Palacio de los Deportes, blowing out Serbia 129-92 in the FIBA World Cup final.
It’s not.
In fact, since the event began in 1950, only Brazil in 1959 and 1963 and Yugoslavia in 1998 and 2002 had repeated as champions. The U.S., which now owns a 63-game win streak under managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski, owns five gold medals but won two consecutively for the first time.
Serbia actually led 15-7 before the U.S. ripped off a 15-0 run and closed the first quarter with a 28-6 spurt. The U.S. shot 15-for-30 from 3-point range.
Kyrie Irving scored 15 of his 26 points during the first-quarter blitz, and James Harden added 23.
Derrick Rose again went scoreless, missing all four shots with six assists. In 16 minutes, 24 seconds, Rose added one rebound, a steal and assist to Kenneth Faried for a dunk and three-point play.
Rose shot 1-for-19 from 3-point range in this tournament.
Team USA won every game by at least 21 points in this tournament.
“The country should be proud of our team because they have represented our country really well,” Krzyzewski said. “How they’ve handled themselves, how they’ve played, just everything. I haven’t had even remotely a problem with these guys. They’ve been terrific and a number of them never even felt they’d be on the team.”
Rose has called his tournament a success despite his shooting woes given that his physical skills have looked intact after playing just 10 NBA games the last two seasons after knee surgeries.
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