TOKYO — Brian Hoorjian has coached Australia in three Olympics, including 2008 when they faced USA Basketball's so-called “Redeem Team.”
That group of Americans included Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. They dusted the Aussies pretty good, 116-85, in the quarterfinals and went on to win gold, of course.
So after Thursday’s semifinal game here, where the U.S. erased a 15-point second-quarter deficit to roar back and handily beat, 97-78, an Australia team that was much more talented than 2008, Hoorjian’s comment was interesting.
“I've been [to] three Olympics and they are as good of a USA team as I've played against,” Hoorjian said.