{"id":21416,"date":"2021-07-12T00:32:26","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T05:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=21416"},"modified":"2021-07-12T00:41:04","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T05:41:04","slug":"nba-champion-warriors-coach-mike-brown-leads-nigeria-to-stunning-win-vs-team-usa-making-20-3s-in-exhibition-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=21416","title":{"rendered":"NBA CHAMPION Warriors coach, MIKE Brown, leads Nigeria to stunning win vs. Team USA, making 20 3s in exhibition win"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"dcr-1nupfq9\">\n<div class=\"dcr-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"dcr-13a2edo\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-125vfar\">Nigeria spring historic upset of USA men\u2019s basketball in Olympic tune-up<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-zjgnrw\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1n6tql0\" data-print-layout=\"hide\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nigeria win 90-87 over heavily favored Americans in Vegas<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Result marks USA\u2019s first ever defeat to an African opponent<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>USA defeated Nigeria by 83 points at 2012 London Olympics<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-pn0kqp\">\n<div class=\"dcr-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"dcr-16n5mgq\">\n<figure id=\"5923369d-bf9a-4740-a18e-e4767a4121e8\" class=\"dcr-13udsys\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1b267dg\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8ebb087dcdd1d446231f2eec2f4c6976b0467e78\/0_68_3161_1896\/master\/3161.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=c603cce14e239e550f882c1f97e03634 1240w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8ebb087dcdd1d446231f2eec2f4c6976b0467e78\/0_68_3161_1896\/master\/3161.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=4e7de2663123aa2aaa0303797769e0eb 1210w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8ebb087dcdd1d446231f2eec2f4c6976b0467e78\/0_68_3161_1896\/master\/3161.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=0523449007e76c7a9cfc24ed37f7fbdf 890w\" media=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8ebb087dcdd1d446231f2eec2f4c6976b0467e78\/0_68_3161_1896\/master\/3161.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=e74ab913ff1335353ac2896d224d1b8e 620w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8ebb087dcdd1d446231f2eec2f4c6976b0467e78\/0_68_3161_1896\/master\/3161.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=6ecd2e8c1a1488a640d7cd15fe4d00f7 605w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8ebb087dcdd1d446231f2eec2f4c6976b0467e78\/0_68_3161_1896\/master\/3161.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=0b7775684634020bb5daac69518528c8 445w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-1989ovb\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8ebb087dcdd1d446231f2eec2f4c6976b0467e78\/0_68_3161_1896\/master\/3161.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=0523449007e76c7a9cfc24ed37f7fbdf\" alt=\"USA Basketball\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-pn0kqp\">\n<div class=\"dcr-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"dcr-16n5mgq\">\n<figure id=\"5923369d-bf9a-4740-a18e-e4767a4121e8\" class=\"dcr-13udsys\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-d5sshu\"><strong><span class=\"dcr-1u9p6vd\"><span class=\"dcr-1u9p6vd\">Kevin Durant, who had never before played in a loss for USA Basketball in 39 senior international games, finished with 17 points in Saturday\u2019s shock loss to Nigeria.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-185kcx9\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1vmde4i\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-bjn8wh\">\n<h1 id=\"firstHeading\" class=\"firstHeading\">Nigeria men&#8217;s national basketball team<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"bodyContent\" class=\"vector-body\">\n<div id=\"mw-content-text\" class=\"mw-body-content mw-content-ltr\" dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\n<table class=\"infobox vcard\">\n<caption class=\"infobox-title\"><strong><span class=\"flagicon\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/79\/Flag_of_Nigeria.svg\/23px-Flag_of_Nigeria.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/79\/Flag_of_Nigeria.svg\/35px-Flag_of_Nigeria.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/79\/Flag_of_Nigeria.svg\/46px-Flag_of_Nigeria.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"12\" data-file-width=\"1200\" data-file-height=\"600\" \/><\/span><span class=\"flagicon\">\u00a0<\/span><a title=\"Nigeria\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nigeria\">Nigeria<\/a><\/strong><\/caption>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-image\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Nigeria_Basketball_Federation_logo.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/9\/91\/Nigeria_Basketball_Federation_logo.png\/200px-Nigeria_Basketball_Federation_logo.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/9\/91\/Nigeria_Basketball_Federation_logo.png\/300px-Nigeria_Basketball_Federation_logo.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/9\/91\/Nigeria_Basketball_Federation_logo.png 2x\" alt=\"Nigeria Basketball Federation logo.png\" width=\"200\" height=\"201\" data-file-width=\"309\" data-file-height=\"310\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"FIBA Men's World Ranking\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Men%27s_World_Ranking\">FIBA ranking<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><span class=\"nowrap\">22 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Steady\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/96\/Steady2.svg\/11px-Steady2.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/96\/Steady2.svg\/17px-Steady2.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/96\/Steady2.svg\/22px-Steady2.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Steady\" width=\"11\" height=\"11\" data-file-width=\"300\" data-file-height=\"300\" \/> (2 March 2021)<sup id=\"cite_ref-FIBA_World_Rankings_1-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Joined <a title=\"FIBA\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA\">FIBA<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>1964<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>FIBA zone<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"FIBA Africa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa\">FIBA Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>National federation<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><span class=\"nowrap\"><a title=\"Nigeria Basketball Federation\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nigeria_Basketball_Federation\">Nigeria Basketball Federation<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Coach<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data agent\"><strong><a title=\"Mike Brown (basketball, born 1970)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mike_Brown_(basketball,_born_1970)\">Mike Brown<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a title=\"Alexander Nwora\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alexander_Nwora\">Alexander Nwora<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Nickname(s)<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data nickname\"><strong><i>D&#8217;Tigers<\/i><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a title=\"Basketball at the Summer Olympics\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_Summer_Olympics\">Olympic Games<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Appearances<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>3<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a title=\"FIBA Basketball World Cup\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup\">FIBA World Cup<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"National team appearances in the FIBA Basketball World Cup\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_team_appearances_in_the_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup\">Appearances<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>3<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a title=\"AfroBasket\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AfroBasket\">AfroBasket<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Appearances<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>18<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Medals<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gold_medal_africa.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/30\/Gold_medal_africa.svg\/16px-Gold_medal_africa.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/30\/Gold_medal_africa.svg\/24px-Gold_medal_africa.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/30\/Gold_medal_africa.svg\/32px-Gold_medal_africa.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Gold medal africa.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-file-width=\"300\" data-file-height=\"300\" \/><\/a> <i>Gold:<\/i> (<a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"FIBA Africa Championship 2015\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa_Championship_2015\">2015<\/a>)<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Silver_medal_africa.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Silver_medal_africa.svg\/16px-Silver_medal_africa.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Silver_medal_africa.svg\/24px-Silver_medal_africa.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Silver_medal_africa.svg\/32px-Silver_medal_africa.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Silver medal africa.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-file-width=\"300\" data-file-height=\"300\" \/><\/a> <i>Silver:<\/i> (<a title=\"FIBA Africa Championship 1997\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa_Championship_1997\">1997<\/a>, <a title=\"FIBA Africa Championship 1999\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa_Championship_1999\">1999<\/a>, <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"FIBA Africa Championship 2003\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa_Championship_2003\">2003<\/a>, <a title=\"AfroBasket 2017\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AfroBasket_2017\">2017<\/a>)<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_medal_africa.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/41\/Bronze_medal_africa.svg\/16px-Bronze_medal_africa.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/41\/Bronze_medal_africa.svg\/24px-Bronze_medal_africa.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/41\/Bronze_medal_africa.svg\/32px-Bronze_medal_africa.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze medal africa.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-file-width=\"300\" data-file-height=\"300\" \/><\/a> <i>Bronze:<\/i> (<a title=\"FIBA Africa Championship 1995\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa_Championship_1995\">1995<\/a>, <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"FIBA Africa Championship 2005\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa_Championship_2005\">2005<\/a>, <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"FIBA Africa Championship 2011\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_Africa_Championship_2011\">2011<\/a>)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Basketball at the All-Africa Games\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_All-Africa_Games\">All Africa Games<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Appearances<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>8<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Medals<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Gold medal \u2013 Olympics\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/15\/Gold_medal.svg\/16px-Gold_medal.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/15\/Gold_medal.svg\/24px-Gold_medal.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/15\/Gold_medal.svg\/32px-Gold_medal.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Gold\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-file-width=\"300\" data-file-height=\"300\" \/> <i>Gold:<\/i> (<a title=\"Basketball at the 2011 All-Africa Games \u2013 Men's tournament\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_2011_All-Africa_Games_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament\">2011<\/a>)<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Bronze medal \u2013 Olympics\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/52\/Bronze_medal.svg\/16px-Bronze_medal.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/52\/Bronze_medal.svg\/24px-Bronze_medal.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/52\/Bronze_medal.svg\/32px-Bronze_medal.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-file-width=\"300\" data-file-height=\"300\" \/> <i>Bronze:<\/i> (1995, <a title=\"Basketball at the 1999 All-Africa Games\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_1999_All-Africa_Games\">1999<\/a>, <a title=\"Basketball at the 2003 All-Africa Games\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_2003_All-Africa_Games\">2003<\/a>, <a title=\"Basketball at the 2007 All-Africa Games\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_2007_All-Africa_Games\">2007<\/a>, <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Basketball at the 2015 All-Africa Games\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_2015_All-Africa_Games\">2015<\/a>)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"toccolours\" colspan=\"2\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/3\/3a\/Kit_body_thinsidesonwhite.png\" alt=\"Kit body thinsidesonwhite.png\" width=\"38\" height=\"59\" data-file-width=\"38\" data-file-height=\"59\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Home jersey\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/73\/Kit_body_basketball.svg\/38px-Kit_body_basketball.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/73\/Kit_body_basketball.svg\/57px-Kit_body_basketball.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/73\/Kit_body_basketball.svg\/76px-Kit_body_basketball.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Home jersey\" width=\"38\" height=\"59\" data-file-width=\"38\" data-file-height=\"59\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/d\/d1\/Kit_shorts_blanksides2.png\" alt=\"Kit shorts blanksides2.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"36\" data-file-width=\"100\" data-file-height=\"36\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Team colours\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/af\/Kit_shorts.svg\/100px-Kit_shorts.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/af\/Kit_shorts.svg\/150px-Kit_shorts.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/af\/Kit_shorts.svg\/200px-Kit_shorts.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Team colours\" width=\"100\" height=\"36\" data-file-width=\"100\" data-file-height=\"36\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><strong><a title=\"Basketball uniform\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_uniform\">Home<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/5\/5c\/Kit_body_thinblacksides.png\" alt=\"Kit body thinblacksides.png\" width=\"38\" height=\"59\" data-file-width=\"38\" data-file-height=\"59\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Away jersey\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/73\/Kit_body_basketball.svg\/38px-Kit_body_basketball.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/73\/Kit_body_basketball.svg\/57px-Kit_body_basketball.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/73\/Kit_body_basketball.svg\/76px-Kit_body_basketball.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Away jersey\" width=\"38\" height=\"59\" data-file-width=\"38\" data-file-height=\"59\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/6\/6e\/Kit_shorts_blacksides.png\" alt=\"Kit shorts blacksides.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"36\" data-file-width=\"100\" data-file-height=\"36\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Team colours\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/af\/Kit_shorts.svg\/100px-Kit_shorts.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/af\/Kit_shorts.svg\/150px-Kit_shorts.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/af\/Kit_shorts.svg\/200px-Kit_shorts.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Team colours\" width=\"100\" height=\"36\" data-file-width=\"100\" data-file-height=\"36\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><strong><a title=\"Basketball uniform\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_uniform\">Away<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>The Nigeria national basketball team represents <a title=\"Nigeria\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nigeria\">Nigeria<\/a> in men&#8217;s international <a title=\"Basketball\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball\">basketball<\/a> and it is overseen by the <a title=\"Nigeria Basketball Federation\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nigeria_Basketball_Federation\">Nigeria Basketball Federation<\/a> (NBBF).<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In March 2021, the global governing body <a title=\"FIBA\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA\">FIBA<\/a> ranked Nigeria as Africa&#8217;s top men&#8217;s basketball nation.<sup id=\"cite_ref-2\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nigeria_men%27s_national_basketball_team#cite_note-2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup> After the 2016 Olympic Men&#8217;s Basketball Tournament in Rio, Nigeria was ranked 16th in the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"FIBA World Rankings\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_World_Rankings\">FIBA World Rankings<\/a>, making them the top climber in FIBA rankings from 2015.<sup id=\"cite_ref-3\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Nigeria is the only African nation to ever qualify for the <a title=\"Basketball at the Summer Olympics\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball_at_the_Summer_Olympics\">Summer Olympics<\/a> through the <a title=\"FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIBA_World_Olympic_Qualifying_Tournament\">FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament<\/a>. This was accomplished at the <a title=\"2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2012_FIBA_World_Olympic_Qualifying_Tournament_for_Men\">2012 Event<\/a> when Nigeria beat the world elite teams of <a title=\"Lithuania men's national basketball team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lithuania_men%27s_national_basketball_team\">Lithuania<\/a> and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Greece national basketball team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Greece_national_basketball_team\">Greece<\/a>. In 2015, Nigeria won its first crown as basketball champion of <a title=\"Africa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Africa\">Africa<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>D\u2019Tigers pulled off the international shocker by beating the <a title=\"United States men's national basketball team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_men%27s_national_basketball_team\">United States national team<\/a> with a roster primarily filled of little-known NBA players that found a way to beat a group of All-NBA, All-Star and max-contract performers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The 22nd-ranked nation by FIBA beating the No. 1-ranked team and three-time reigning Olympic gold medalists.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ILfuVd\"><span class=\"hgKElc\">The Nigeria men&#8217;s basketball team made 20 3-pointers and stunned the United States 90-87 on Saturday in a pre-Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas. \u201cI thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of 3s,\u201d U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said. \u201cGive them credit.\u201d<\/span><\/span><span class=\"kX21rb\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>This is not how USA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/basketball\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Basketball<\/a> expected to open their Olympic summer. Nigeria probably didn\u2019t expect it, either.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>If there was any expectation of invincibility for the Americans heading into the Tokyo Olympics, it\u2019s already gone \u2013 after Nigeria shocked the US, 90-87, on Saturday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The result marked the top-ranked United States\u2019 first ever defeat to an African nation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Nigeria pulled off an international shocker with a roster primarily filled of little-known NBA players that found a way to beat a group of All-NBA, All-Star and max-contract performers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>\u201cWe just wanted to compete,\u201d said Nigeria\u2018s Gabe Nnamdi, who goes by Gabe Vincent when playing for the Miami Heat. \u201cWe know what USA Basketball means around the world and what they\u2019ve stood for for so long.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The US had lost 11 games before Saturday in major international play Olympics and World Cups, mostly since NBA players began filling the American rosters with the first Dream Team in 1992.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>\u201cI thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of threes,\u201d US coach Gregg Popovich said. \u201cGive them credit.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The box score from Saturday\u2019s send-off series opener told all. Nnamdi led Nigeria with 21 points. Caleb Agada scored 17 points, Ike Nwamu added 13 and Nigeria outscored the US 60-30 from three-point range while outrebounding the hosts, 46-34.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"ce11fc25-7396-4063-a2d0-06b4f4a8dee0\" class=\"dcr-10khgmf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-eg3oz7\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>Let the inquest begin. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QXJnQz3uq4\">https:\/\/t.co\/QXJnQz3uq4<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BqoLGkTwRK\">pic.twitter.com\/BqoLGkTwRK<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BryanAGraham\/status\/1414111682658545664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 11, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Kevin Durant, who had never before played in a loss for USA Basketball in 39 senior international games, had 17 points. Jayson Tatum added 15, Damian Lillard had 14 and Bam Adebayo 11.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>\u201cJust goes to show that we have to play better,\u201d Tatum said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The Americans had gone 39-0 in their last three Olympic seasons \u2013 including pre-Olympic exhibitions \u2013 on their way to gold medals and had been 54-2 in major exhibitions since NBA players began playing for USA Basketball in 1992. Plus, they\u2019d beaten Nigeria by a combined 127 points in their last two meetings, one at the 2012 London Games, the other a warm-up for the 2016 Rio Games.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Nigeria lost to the US at the 2012 Olympics by 83 points. Lost to the Americans again four years later in an exhibition, that time by 44 points.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Not this time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"0ac97f8a-e478-4c60-a8fc-004403dc47fc\" class=\"dcr-10khgmf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-eg3oz7\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><strong>this dude has now lost to a team that he once beat by 83 points <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/D3AE6ijALF\">pic.twitter.com\/D3AE6ijALF<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bubbaprog\/status\/1414044101285138436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 11, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>\u201cNigeria\u2019s come a long way with their basketball,\u201d USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"dfp-ad--carrot\" class=\"js-ad-slot ad-slot ad-slot--carrot\" data-link-name=\"ad slot carrot\" data-name=\"carrot\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-mobile=\"fluid\" data-label=\"false\" data-refresh=\"false\">\n<h1 id=\"firstHeading\" class=\"firstHeading\">Mike Brown (basketball, born 1970)<\/h1>\n<div id=\"bodyContent\" class=\"vector-body\">\n<div id=\"mw-content-text\" class=\"mw-body-content mw-content-ltr\" dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\n<table class=\"infobox vcard\">\n<caption class=\"infobox-title fn summary\"><strong>Mike Brown<\/strong><\/caption>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-image\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Mike_Brown_NBA_cropped.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Mike_Brown_NBA_cropped.jpg\/220px-Mike_Brown_NBA_cropped.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Mike_Brown_NBA_cropped.jpg\/330px-Mike_Brown_NBA_cropped.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Mike_Brown_NBA_cropped.jpg\/440px-Mike_Brown_NBA_cropped.jpg 2x\" alt=\"Mike Brown NBA cropped.jpg\" width=\"220\" height=\"264\" data-file-width=\"1500\" data-file-height=\"1800\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"infobox-caption\"><strong>Brown coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2008<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Golden State Warriors<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Position<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data role\"><strong>Associate head coach<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>League<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"National Basketball Association\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Basketball_Association\">NBA<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Personal information<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Born<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>March 5, 1970<span class=\"noprint ForceAgeToShow\"> (age\u00a051)<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a title=\"Columbus, Ohio\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Columbus,_Ohio\">Columbus, Ohio<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Nationality<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>American<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Listed height<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>6\u00a0ft 3\u00a0in (1.91\u00a0m)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Listed weight<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>200\u00a0lb (91\u00a0kg)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Career information<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>High school<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data plainlist\"><strong><a title=\"W\u00fcrzburg American High School\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/W%C3%BCrzburg_American_High_School\">W\u00fcrzburg American<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>(<a title=\"W\u00fcrzburg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/W%C3%BCrzburg\">W\u00fcrzburg, Germany<\/a>)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>College<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data plainlist\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a title=\"Mesa Community College\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mesa_Community_College\">Mesa CC<\/a> (1988\u20131990)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"San Diego Toreros men's basketball\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/San_Diego_Toreros_men%27s_basketball\">San Diego<\/a> (1990\u20131992)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong>Coaching career<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>1997\u2013present<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Career history<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>As coach:<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"1997\u201398 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1997%E2%80%9398_NBA_season\">1997<\/a>\u2013<a title=\"1998\u201399 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1998%E2%80%9399_NBA_season\">1999<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"Washington Wizards\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Washington_Wizards\">Washington Wizards<\/a> (assistant)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"2000\u201301 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2000%E2%80%9301_NBA_season\">2000<\/a>\u2013<a title=\"2002\u201303 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2002%E2%80%9303_NBA_season\">2003<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"San Antonio Spurs\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/San_Antonio_Spurs\">San Antonio Spurs<\/a> (assistant)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"2003\u201304 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2003%E2%80%9304_NBA_season\">2003<\/a>\u2013<a title=\"2004\u201305 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2004%E2%80%9305_NBA_season\">2005<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"Indiana Pacers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indiana_Pacers\">Indiana Pacers<\/a> (assistant)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"2005\u201306 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2005%E2%80%9306_NBA_season\">2005<\/a>\u2013<a title=\"2009\u201310 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2009%E2%80%9310_NBA_season\">2010<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"Cleveland Cavaliers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cleveland_Cavaliers\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"2011\u201312 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2011%E2%80%9312_NBA_season\">2011<\/a>\u2013<a title=\"2012\u201313 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2012%E2%80%9313_NBA_season\">2012<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"Los Angeles Lakers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Los_Angeles_Lakers\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"2013\u201314 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2013%E2%80%9314_NBA_season\">2013\u20132014<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>Cleveland Cavaliers<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"2016\u201317 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2016%E2%80%9317_NBA_season\">2016<\/a>\u2013present<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong><a title=\"Golden State Warriors\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Golden_State_Warriors\">Golden State Warriors<\/a> (associate HC)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-header\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Career highlights and awards<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>As head coach:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a title=\"NBA Coach of the Year Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NBA_Coach_of_the_Year_Award\">NBA Coach of the Year<\/a> (<a title=\"2008\u201309 NBA season\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2008%E2%80%9309_NBA_season\">2009<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"List of NBA All-Star Game head coaches\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_NBA_All-Star_Game_head_coaches\">NBA All-Star Game head coach<\/a> (<a title=\"2009 NBA All-Star Game\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2009_NBA_All-Star_Game\">2009<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>As assistant coach:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>3x <a title=\"List of NBA champions\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_NBA_champions\">NBA champion<\/a> (<a title=\"2003 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2003_NBA_Finals\">2003<\/a>, <a title=\"2017 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2017_NBA_Finals\">2017<\/a>, <a title=\"2018 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2018_NBA_Finals\">2018<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21427\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/MIKE-BROWN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Michael Burton Brown<sup id=\"cite_ref-2005_media_guide_1-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> (born March 5, 1970) is an American <a title=\"Basketball\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basketball\">basketball<\/a> coach who is the associate head coach for the <a title=\"Golden State Warriors\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Golden_State_Warriors\">Golden State Warriors<\/a> of the <a title=\"National Basketball Association\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Basketball_Association\">National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA) and the head coach of the Nigerian Basketball National Team. He is the former head coach of the <a title=\"Cleveland Cavaliers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cleveland_Cavaliers\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> and the <a title=\"Los Angeles Lakers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Los_Angeles_Lakers\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Brown began coaching the <a title=\"Cleveland Cavaliers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cleveland_Cavaliers\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> in 2005. The team reached the <a title=\"2007 NBA Finals\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2007_NBA_Finals\">2007 NBA Finals<\/a>, where they were swept by the <a title=\"San Antonio Spurs\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/San_Antonio_Spurs\">San Antonio Spurs<\/a>. Brown was honored as <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"NBA Coach of the Year\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NBA_Coach_of_the_Year\">NBA Coach of the Year<\/a> for leading the Cavaliers to a team-record and league-best 66 wins in 2009. The Cavaliers won 61 games, again a league best, in 2010. However, after the Cavaliers lost to the <a title=\"Boston Celtics\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Boston_Celtics\">Boston Celtics<\/a> in the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"2010 NBA Playoffs\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2010_NBA_Playoffs\">2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals<\/a>, Brown was let go.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Brown succeeded <a title=\"Phil Jackson\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phil_Jackson\">Phil Jackson<\/a> as the head coach of the <a title=\"Los Angeles Lakers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Los_Angeles_Lakers\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> in 2011 before being fired after the start of the 2012-2013 season. He returned to the Cavaliers in 2013, but was let go after the 2013-2014 season. Brown then joined the Golden State Warriors as associate head coach in 2016; the team went on to defeat the Cavaliers in the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Ike Iroegbu \u2013 a former Washington State player who some time in the G League \u2013 hit a three-pointer with about 1:15 left to put Nigeria up 88-80. Durant scored the next seven points for the US; a three-pointer, two free throws following a turnover, then two more from the line with 16.5 seconds remaining.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Nnamdi made two foul shots with 13.2 seconds left to restore Nigeria\u2019s three-point edge. The Americans ran 9.7 seconds off the clock on the ensuing possession without getting a shot off, and Zach LaVine missed a pair of free throws \u2013 the second intentionally \u2013 with 3.5 seconds left.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"0605b6c7-e43e-4b68-9930-31a7275fe00f\" class=\"dcr-10khgmf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1b267dg\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1065f4cb82dcd63af33a761f330a11fc75004daf\/0_0_3000_2060\/master\/3000.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=d9ab54156cb4a41ecfb8a657f6a51c40 1240w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1065f4cb82dcd63af33a761f330a11fc75004daf\/0_0_3000_2060\/master\/3000.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=1096da705848a38aa5c8147730565abe 1210w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1065f4cb82dcd63af33a761f330a11fc75004daf\/0_0_3000_2060\/master\/3000.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=48889ca4b7272fb21f308a621de29ebf 890w\" media=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1065f4cb82dcd63af33a761f330a11fc75004daf\/0_0_3000_2060\/master\/3000.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d65b13bed13521f6069281baed6644a2 620w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1065f4cb82dcd63af33a761f330a11fc75004daf\/0_0_3000_2060\/master\/3000.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=73343756b552ac1f6087df01c6866291 605w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1065f4cb82dcd63af33a761f330a11fc75004daf\/0_0_3000_2060\/master\/3000.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=4d7999b5ef591747389ab0c92f4810bf 445w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-1989ovb\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1065f4cb82dcd63af33a761f330a11fc75004daf\/0_0_3000_2060\/master\/3000.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=48889ca4b7272fb21f308a621de29ebf\" alt=\"USA basketball\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2060\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div><figcaption class=\"dcr-d5sshu\"><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"0605b6c7-e43e-4b68-9930-31a7275fe00f\" class=\"dcr-10khgmf\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-d5sshu\"><strong><span class=\"dcr-1u9p6vd\">The United States\u2019 Draymond Green (14) drives to the rim against Nigeria\u2019s Ekpe Udoh (8) during Saturday\u2019s exhibition game in Las Vegas.<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Precious Achiuwa got the rebound for Nigeria, and that was it. It\u2019s only an exhibition \u2013 but the upset was still of the massive variety, the 22nd-ranked nation by Fiba beating the No 1-ranked team and three-time reigning Olympic gold medalists.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>Popovich heard the final buzzer and shook hands with Nigeria coach Mike Brown, the Golden State assistant, as the Americans walked off stunned.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"c13b0c12-22f8-4385-a8d6-9b120dc5d8a8\" class=\"dcr-1mfia18\">\n<div class=\"css-mozjxl\" data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-0 | 0\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"\">\n<div class=\"css-s7oxzu\">\n<div class=\"css-1m5f2q7\"><\/div>\n<div><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-q4dzvk\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f1330e915798203f5bf68c632799c291ef8b5160\/0_164_4920_2952\/master\/4920.jpg?width=460&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d5bb864a2a33b11df10ba42bf1d2a224\" alt=\"Team USA have dominated in international competition but were upset on Wednesday by France\" width=\"4920\" height=\"2952\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1d91meq\">\n<div class=\"css-m4qltb\">\n<div class=\"css-1gqsble\"><strong>Why Team USA&#8217;s World Cup defeats were good for basketball<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1vmde4i\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-bjn8wh\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>There was an injury scare for the Americans late in the second quarter, when LaVine got hurt on a play where he was closing out against Nnamdi. He went airborne after a head fake and came down awkwardly, grabbing at his left ankle before getting up and going directly to the US locker room.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>LaVine was fine and returned in the third quarter.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The bigger scare was the scoreboard. Nigeria trailed only 43-41 at the half, led for long stretches of the opening 20 minutes, and simply weren\u2019t going away.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The US are looking to rebound from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2019\/sep\/11\/fiba-world-cup-france-usa-basketball\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">seventh-place finish at the 2019 Fiba World Cup<\/a>, their worst ever finish at an international tournament.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The Americans\u2019 previous closest game against an African opponent came at the inaugural Fiba world championship in 1950, when the US narrowly won 34-32 over Egypt.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>No African team has ever reached the Olympic quarter-finals.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1b5a2hj\"><strong>The United States return to action on Monday when they face Australia in the second of five pre-Olympics exhibitions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Basketball has become an completely international game where all players are coached by the same coaches, and teams now train in exactly the same way and run identical plays. So there are no easy international games anymore.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The fact that in the NBA, an international Allstar team would severely challenge, if not beat an American Allstar team in a 7 game series says it all.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss265\">\n<h1 class=\"jss93 jss107 jss241\"><strong>Nigeria men&#8217;s basketball stuns United States, making 20 3s in exhibition win<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-container MuiGrid-spacing-xs-2\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss274\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"MuiCardMedia-root MuiCardMedia-media MuiCardMedia-img\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-media.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=cover,width=700,height=466\/rtHJsBPB8uRa_rtHJsBPB8uRa_0G3Tt9v6GZu4_original_1440x960.jpg\" sizes=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) 31vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) 47.5vw, (min-width: 1000px) 700px, (min-width: 600px) 95vw, 500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-media.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=cover,width=700,height=466\/rtHJsBPB8uRa_rtHJsBPB8uRa_0G3Tt9v6GZu4_original_1440x960.jpg 700w, https:\/\/cdn-media.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=cover,width=328,height=218\/rtHJsBPB8uRa_rtHJsBPB8uRa_0G3Tt9v6GZu4_original_1440x960.jpg 328w\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div id=\"newsLede\" class=\"jss246\">\n<p><strong>The Nigeria men&#8217;s basketball team made 20 3-pointers and stunned the United States 90-87 on Saturday in a pre-Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cI thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of 3s,\u201d U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said. \u201cGive them credit.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo agreed with Popovich, saying Nigeria had come a long way with their basketball program.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Nine years after losing to the U.S. by 83 points at the 2012 Olympics, Nigeria never trailed in the fourth quarter. Coached by <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/warriors\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Warriors<\/a> associate head coach Mike Brown and featuring eight players with NBA experience, Nigeria made 20 of 42 3s, including six from <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/heat\/gabe-vincent\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Gabe Vincent<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/heat\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Miami Heat<\/a>), who led the team with 21 points (6 of 8 on 3-pointers). Caleb Agada added 17 points, hitting 3 of 3 from 3-point range.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cMike\u2019s done a great job with us so far,\u201d Vincent said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a great camp so far. We had to build a new culture, start from the ground up, new plays, new everything. We\u2019ve got a lot of new guys in.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s different when you\u2019re playing for a country. Right now we\u2019re representing the continent. It means the world to us and I hope we showed it here tonight.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Team USA fell to 54-3 in exhibition games since 1992. The U.S. won the last meeting between the teams, a 2016 exhibition, 110-66.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThat\u2019s a talented group of players. It\u2019s not a bunch of people off the street playing basketball,\u201d Popovich said. \u201cEvery year, teams are better and better, and every year, one or two or three more NBA players are on their teams, so they\u2019re a quality team.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/nets\/kevin-durant\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Kevin Durant<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/nets\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Brooklyn Nets<\/a>) led the U.S. with 17 points on 4-of-13 shooting. <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/celtics\/jayson-tatum\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Jayson Tatum<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/celtics\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Boston Celtics<\/a>) added 15 and <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/blazers\/damian-lillard\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Damian Lillard<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/blazers\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Portland Trail Blazers<\/a>) had 14. Nigeria outrebounded the U.S. 46-34.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s just all the work we put in,&#8221; Vincent said. &#8220;It\u2019s no mistake what happened here tonight.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cWe knew what it was. We\u2019ve all seen them play at the highest level and make huge shots. We knew what came with that and we just had to make plays.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Team USA has another exhibition Monday against Australia. The U.S. plays its first Olympic game on Sunday, July 25 against France. The team will compete in a total of three group play matches before the knockout stage begins on Aug. 2.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Roster members from the <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/suns\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Phoenix Suns<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/suns\/devin-booker\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Devin Booker<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/bucks\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/bucks\/jrue-holiday\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Jrue Holiday<\/a>) won&#8217;t join the team until the conclusion of the NBA Finals, with the latest game set for July 22 if the series goes seven games.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss275\">\n<div id=\"smartBrevity\" class=\"jsx-3137943280 jss247\">\n<h2><strong>Putting the loss in perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Joe Vardon, NBA senior writer: <\/em>This is the worst lost in the history of American international basketball, dating to at least 1992 when NBA players were allowed to play in the Olympics. There is no other way to describe it. Yes, the loss doesn\u2019t count toward Team USA\u2019s medal hopes, but a group with Durant and Lillard just lost to a country with two Olympic basketball wins \u2026 in its history.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How did Nigeria do this?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Vardon: <\/em>Threes. Lots and lots of 3s. Twenty, to be exact. I also thought the Americans, who are supposed to overpower opponents with their offense, looked stagnant and reverted to isolation shots that are harder to complete in international play, where physicality is encouraged. But yeah, six 3s by Vincent and 17 points by Caleb Agada \u2026 stunner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What changes does the U.S. need to make heading into Olympics?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Vardon: <\/em>Well, Durant can\u2019t go 4 of 13, I guess. And Beal was 1 of 7 from the field. But if we are going to lament a couple tough shooting nights for Team USA against the Nigerians \u2026 there are bigger problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss278\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss279\">\n<hr class=\"MuiDivider-root jss276\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-container MuiGrid-spacing-xs-3\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12 MuiGrid-grid-md-6\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/2700175\/2021\/07\/11\/nigerian-national-teams-upset-of-team-usa-a-substantial-moment-for-the-program-coach-mike-brown\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.theathletic.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/07\/11070347\/GettyImages-1328071392-1024x677.jpg\" width=\"100%\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss284\">\n<h5 class=\"jss93 jss111 jss280\"><strong>Nigerian national team\u2019s upset of Team USA a substantial moment for program, coach Mike Brown<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12 MuiGrid-grid-md-6\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/2700186\/2021\/07\/11\/does-team-usas-stunning-loss-to-nigeria-prove-american-exceptionalism-in-basketball-is-dead\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.theathletic.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/07\/11004311\/AP_21192093062920-scaled-e1625978621241-1024x682.jpg\" width=\"100%\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss290\">\n<section class=\"Block_tag__s36Yi\">\n<div class=\"p-4 lg:p-12\">\n<article class=\"break-normal lg:flex lg:flex-wrap\">\n<div class=\"w-full mb-6\">\n<div class=\"pb-5 mb-4 border-b border-concrete\">\n<h1 class=\"h9\"><strong>Nigeria shocks USA in pre-Olympic opener<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"t2 mt-3\"><strong>Nigeria makes twice as many 3-pointers as Team USA and keeps superstars like Kevin Durant in check.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"w-full lg:flex\">\n<div class=\"lg:pr-3 lg:w-3\/4\">\n<div class=\"Article_article__2Ue3h\">\n<div id=\"attachment_580610\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-580610 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2021\/07\/nigeria-beats-usa-784x455.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 784px) 100vw, 784px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2021\/07\/nigeria-beats-usa-784x455.jpg 784w, https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2021\/07\/nigeria-beats-usa-1568x911.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2021\/07\/nigeria-beats-usa-768x446.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2021\/07\/nigeria-beats-usa-1536x892.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2021\/07\/nigeria-beats-usa-2048x1189.jpg 2048w\" alt=\"\" width=\"784\" height=\"455\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-580610\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-580610\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Nigeria celebrates after its 90-87 upset of the heavily-favored USA Saturday in Las Vegas.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>This is not how USA Basketball expected to open its Olympic summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Nigeria probably didn\u2019t expect it, either.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>If there was any expectation of invincibility for the Americans heading into the Tokyo Olympics, it\u2019s already gone \u2014 after Nigeria shocked the U.S. 90-87 on Saturday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Nigeria pulled off an international shocker with a roster primarily filled of little-known NBA players that found a way to beat a group of All-NBA, All-Star and max-contract performers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\">\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Gabe Vincent pours in game-high 21 points for Nigeria against Team USA.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>\u201cI thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of 3s,\u201d U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said. \u201cGive them credit.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Gabe Nnamdi, who goes by Gabe Vincent when playing for the Miami Heat, led Nigeria with 21 points. Caleb Agada scored 17 points, Ike Nwamu added 13 and Nigeria outscored the U.S. 60-30 from 3-point range.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Kevin Durant, who had never before played in a loss for USA Basketball in 39 senior international games, had 17 points. Jayson Tatum added 15, Damian Lillard had 14 and Bam Adebayo 11.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>\u201cJust goes to show that we have to play better,\u201d Tatum said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>The Americans had gone 39-0 in their last three Olympic seasons \u2014 including pre-Olympic exhibitions \u2014 on their way to gold medals and had been 54-2 in major exhibitions since NBA players began playing for USA Basketball in 1992. Plus, they\u2019d beaten Nigeria by a combined 127 points in their last two meetings, one at the 2012 London Games, the other a warm-up for the 2016 Rio Games.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Nigeria lost to the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics by 83 points. Lost to the Americans again four years later in an exhibition, that time by 44 points.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Not this time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>\u201cNigeria\u2019s come a long way with their basketball,\u201d USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Ike Iroegbu \u2014 a former Washington State player who some time in the G League \u2014 hit a 3-pointer with about 1:15 left to put Nigeria up 88-80. Durant scored the next seven points for the U.S.; a 3-pointer, two free throws following a turnover, then two more from the line with 16.5 seconds remaining.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Nnamdi made two foul shots with 13.2 seconds left to restore Nigeria\u2019s 3-point edge. The Americans ran 9.7 seconds off the clock on the ensuing possession without getting a shot off, and Zach LaVine missed a pair of free throws \u2014 the second intentionally \u2014 with 3.5 seconds left.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Precious Achiuwa got the rebound for Nigeria, and that was it. It\u2019s only an exhibition \u2014 but the upset was still of the massive variety, the 22nd-ranked nation by FIBA beating the No. 1-ranked team and three-time reigning Olympic gold medalists.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>Popovich heard the final buzzer and shook hands with Nigeria coach Mike Brown, the Golden State assistant, as the Americans walked off stunned.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>There was an injury scare for the Americans late in the second quarter, when LaVine got hurt on a play where he was closing out against Nnamdi. He went airborne after a head fake and came down awkwardly, grabbing at his left ankle before getting up and going directly to the U.S. locker room.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>LaVine was fine and returned in the third quarter.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Component-root-0-2-145 Component-p-0-2-136\"><strong>The bigger scare was the scoreboard. Nigeria trailed only 43-41 at the half, led for long stretches of the opening 20 minutes, and simply wasn\u2019t going away.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss265\">\n<h1 class=\"jss93 jss107 jss241\"><strong>Nigeria men&#8217;s basketball stuns United States, making 20 3s in exhibition win<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-container MuiGrid-spacing-xs-2\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss274\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"MuiCardMedia-root MuiCardMedia-media MuiCardMedia-img\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-media.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=cover,width=700,height=466\/rtHJsBPB8uRa_rtHJsBPB8uRa_0G3Tt9v6GZu4_original_1440x960.jpg\" sizes=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) 31vw, (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) 47.5vw, (min-width: 1000px) 700px, (min-width: 600px) 95vw, 500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-media.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=cover,width=700,height=466\/rtHJsBPB8uRa_rtHJsBPB8uRa_0G3Tt9v6GZu4_original_1440x960.jpg 700w, https:\/\/cdn-media.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=cover,width=328,height=218\/rtHJsBPB8uRa_rtHJsBPB8uRa_0G3Tt9v6GZu4_original_1440x960.jpg 328w\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div id=\"newsLede\" class=\"jss246\">\n<p><strong>The Nigeria men&#8217;s basketball team made 20 3-pointers and stunned the United States 90-87 on Saturday in a pre-Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cI thought that the Nigerian team played very physically, did a great job in that regard and knocked down a lot of 3s,\u201d U.S. coach Gregg Popovich said. \u201cGive them credit.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo agreed with Popovich, saying Nigeria had come a long way with their basketball program.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nine years after losing to the U.S. by 83 points at the 2012 Olympics, Nigeria never trailed in the fourth quarter. Coached by <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/warriors\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Warriors<\/a> associate head coach Mike Brown and featuring eight players with NBA experience, Nigeria made 20 of 42 3s, including six from <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/heat\/gabe-vincent\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Gabe Vincent<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/heat\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Miami Heat<\/a>), who led the team with 21 points (6 of 8 on 3-pointers). Caleb Agada added 17 points, hitting 3 of 3 from 3-point range.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cMike\u2019s done a great job with us so far,\u201d Vincent said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a great camp so far. We had to build a new culture, start from the ground up, new plays, new everything. We\u2019ve got a lot of new guys in.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s different when you\u2019re playing for a country. Right now we\u2019re representing the continent. It means the world to us and I hope we showed it here tonight.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Team USA fell to 54-3 in exhibition games since 1992. The U.S. won the last meeting between the teams, a 2016 exhibition, 110-66.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThat\u2019s a talented group of players. It\u2019s not a bunch of people off the street playing basketball,\u201d Popovich said. \u201cEvery year, teams are better and better, and every year, one or two or three more NBA players are on their teams, so they\u2019re a quality team.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/nets\/kevin-durant\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Kevin Durant<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/nets\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Brooklyn Nets<\/a>) led the U.S. with 17 points on 4-of-13 shooting. <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/celtics\/jayson-tatum\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Jayson Tatum<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/celtics\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Boston Celtics<\/a>) added 15 and <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/blazers\/damian-lillard\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Damian Lillard<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/blazers\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Portland Trail Blazers<\/a>) had 14. Nigeria outrebounded the U.S. 46-34.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s just all the work we put in,&#8221; Vincent said. &#8220;It\u2019s no mistake what happened here tonight.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cWe knew what it was. We\u2019ve all seen them play at the highest level and make huge shots. We knew what came with that and we just had to make plays.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Team USA has another exhibition Monday against Australia. The U.S. plays its first Olympic game on Sunday, July 25 against France. The team will compete in a total of three group play matches before the knockout stage begins on Aug. 2.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Roster members from the <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/suns\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Phoenix Suns<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/suns\/devin-booker\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Devin Booker<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/team\/bucks\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/player\/nba\/bucks\/jrue-holiday\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Jrue Holiday<\/a>) won&#8217;t join the team until the conclusion of the NBA Finals, with the latest game set for July 22 if the series goes seven games.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss275\">\n<div id=\"smartBrevity\" class=\"jsx-3137943280 jss247\">\n<h2><strong>Putting the loss in perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Joe Vardon, NBA senior writer: <\/em>This is the worst lost in the history of American international basketball, dating to at least 1992 when NBA players were allowed to play in the Olympics. There is no other way to describe it. Yes, the loss doesn\u2019t count toward Team USA\u2019s medal hopes, but a group with Durant and Lillard just lost to a country with two Olympic basketball wins \u2026 in its history.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How did Nigeria do this?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Vardon: <\/em>Threes. Lots and lots of 3s. Twenty, to be exact. I also thought the Americans, who are supposed to overpower opponents with their offense, looked stagnant and reverted to isolation shots that are harder to complete in international play, where physicality is encouraged. But yeah, six 3s by Vincent and 17 points by Caleb Agada \u2026 stunner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What changes does the U.S. need to make heading into Olympics?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Vardon: <\/em>Well, Durant can\u2019t go 4 of 13, I guess. And Beal was 1 of 7 from the field. But if we are going to lament a couple tough shooting nights for Team USA against the Nigerians \u2026 there are bigger problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss278\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss279\">\n<hr class=\"MuiDivider-root jss276\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-container MuiGrid-spacing-xs-3\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12 MuiGrid-grid-md-6\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/2700175\/2021\/07\/11\/nigerian-national-teams-upset-of-team-usa-a-substantial-moment-for-the-program-coach-mike-brown\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.theathletic.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/07\/11070347\/GettyImages-1328071392-1024x677.jpg\" width=\"100%\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss284\">\n<h5 class=\"jss93 jss111 jss280\"><strong>Nigerian national team\u2019s upset of Team USA a substantial moment for program, coach Mike Brown<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12 MuiGrid-grid-md-6\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/2700186\/2021\/07\/11\/does-team-usas-stunning-loss-to-nigeria-prove-american-exceptionalism-in-basketball-is-dead\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.theathletic.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/07\/11004311\/AP_21192093062920-scaled-e1625978621241-1024x682.jpg\" width=\"100%\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss290\">\n<h5 class=\"jss93 jss111 jss280\"><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12 MuiGrid-grid-md-7\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss238 jss230\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss278\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-container MuiGrid-spacing-xs-3\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12 MuiGrid-grid-md-6\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root jss291\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-container\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nigeria spring historic upset of USA men\u2019s basketball in Olympic tune-up Nigeria win 90-87 over heavily favored Americans in Vegas Result marks USA\u2019s first ever defeat to an African opponent USA defeated Nigeria by 83 points at 2012 London Olympics Kevin Durant, who had never before played in a loss for USA Basketball in 39 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2405,330,11,8,1314,1456,1156,13,2404,2406,14,106,104,187,1,1282,12,7,9,10],"tags":[4418,4417,4419],"class_list":["post-21416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-basketball-sports","category-business","category-entertainment","category-global-business-entrepreneurs","category-global-news-updates-and-more","category-global-sports","category-health","category-high-school-sports","category-mbs-hss","category-most-commented","category-nba-sports-news","category-ncaa","category-ncaa-basketball","category-news","category-olympics","category-scitech","category-sports","category-us","category-world","tag-1970-age-51-columbus","tag-mike-brownmike-brown-nba-cropped-jpg-brown-coaching-the-cleveland-cavaliers-in-2008-golden-state-warriors-position-associate-head-coach-league-nba-personal-information-born-march-5","tag-ohio-nationality-american-listed-height-6-ft-3-in-1-91-m-listed-weight-200-lb-91-kg-career-information-high-school-wurzburg-american-wurzburg","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21416\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}