LAS VEGAS (AP) — New team. Same old result.
Full of new star power — including Sacramento Kings Center Demarcus Cousins — the U.S. men’s basketball team opened its bid for a third straight Olympic gold medal Friday with a 111-74 exhibition romp over Argentina .
A U.S. team that hasn’t lost a game in 10 years had little trouble with Argentina , which some consider a medal contender in Rio. Paul George scored 14 first-half points, Kevin Durant added 12, and the U.S. blew open the game early before an appreciative crowd on the Las Vegas Strip
Even with Kobe Bryant retired and LeBron James taking this Olympics off, there was no real talent drop off on a team heavily favored to win gold once again. The depth of the U.S. showed as coach Mike Krzyzewski rotated players in and out, searching for the right combinations on a team with 10 new players from 2012.
Cousins scored 14 points and 15 rebounds in 16 minutes of play.