After another gold medal, the US men's basketball program will now catch its breath

PARIS (AP) — The first practice for the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team after arriving in Paris was one of those workouts that those who were there, watching behind closed doors, will talk about for a long time.

Players were split up evenly. Go play, they were told. What happened next set the tone for the rest of the team’s time at the Paris Games.

“We warmed up and then it became competitive,” U.S. assistant coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And that’s when you realized, one, that this team really cares and that it felt the responsibility to play and compete at the highest level. And then secondly, the level of talent on that floor … we knew it could exceed all expectations.”

A couple weeks later, they won gold.

The mission was completed Saturday night when the U.S. won gold for the fifth consecutive Games, holding off France — in Paris, no less — 98-87. Stephen Curry scored 24 points, all on 3-pointers, while Kevin Durant won his fourth Olympic gold and LeBron James won his third gold and fourth medal overall.

And then the party started. Before long, it’ll be time to start thinking about how to do it again in 2028 when the Olympics return to Los Angeles. Grant Hill will be back as managing director for the men’s national team, and he’s already excited about what is looming.

“I’ve done a lot of things in my life,” Hill said. “And this is a thing that certainly consumes you, but it is incredibly rewarding.”

Especially when the team wins.

There will be changes between now and 2028. James will be 43 and likely retired by then (though with James, never say never). It might seem iffy for Curry and Durant to still be playing in four years, but again, who knows. Some players like Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo already have said they want in; others like Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton seem to be locks if they want to continue.

No decisions are set, and that won’t change for a while. Hill is going to take a well-earned break. The next major international tournament is the World Cup at Qatar in 2027. It’s safe to say that it’ll be sometime in 2025 when he even starts getting serious about putting together a group for that.

“Over four years, a lot can and will happen,” Hill said. “Now, getting away from it a little bit, just letting things play out and see how guys continue to develop and see what kind of season guys have over the next year or so. And then, at some point, you start that process all over again.”

When he took over, Hill said he wanted a pipeline for both players and coaches. People leave the program, others move up. Steve Kerr made clear when he agreed to replace Gregg Popovich as U.S. coach, it would be for the 2023 World Cup and these Paris Olympics. It would seem likely that the next national team coach will be either Spoelstra or Tyronn Lue, given how both were assistants under Kerr the last two summers.

And already, the player candidate pool for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has a slew of obvious candidates. Adebayo has said he wants to play and Davis — admittedly, with a new gold medal around his neck possibly swaying his mood — said Saturday night that he thinks he’ll play in 2028. Edwards, Haliburton, Tatum and Booker (who was incredible in these Olympics) will all be 31 or less when the Los Angeles Games roll around. Edwards will turn only 27 that summer.

Add some of the players from the World Cup team — Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart would all figure to be among the candidates from that list — and there’s already a slew of logical options. There will be more, many more.

“We love that, to have some of these young guys in the pipeline now and on the team so that they can be part of the next group,” Kerr said. “But really, we didn’t think of that when putting the team together. We just put the best group possible to win now and we’ll worry about 2028 in four years.”

USA Basketball announced in April 2021 that Hill would be the replacement for Jerry Colangelo as men’s national team managing director. Colangelo stepped down officially about four months later when the Tokyo Games ended, wrapping up a run of four Olympic gold medals and two world championships.

The job sounds simple, but it isn’t. The managing director is largely tasked with picking the best players and coaches to accept being part of a program where anything less than a gold medal will be considered failure.

“I don’t know if I fully understood what exactly all of it entailed when I was announced or even considering it,” Hill said. “It’s been a marathon — maybe an ultramarathon, one of those 100-mile races. But everything, the preparation, the game planning, strategy, logistics, there’s been some really great times and there’s been tough times. All of it has been absolutely incredible. It’s been more challenging and more rewarding and fulfilling than I could have imagined.”

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

From left to right, United States' Stephen Curry (4), Anthony Edwards (5) and LeBron James (6) celebrate after beating France to win the gold medal during a men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

United States' Jayson Tatum (10) knocks the ball from Victor Wembanyama (32), of France during a men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Bam Adebayo (13) dunks during a men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, Pool)

United States' Stephen Curry (4) reacts after a three-point basket against France in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Stephen Curry, left, and United States' Kevin Durant hug after the the United States won the men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run, go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and Emmanuel Clase recorded his 46th save as the Cleveland Guardians rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Monday night to tighten their grip on the AL Central.

With Josh Naylor on second after a double, Manzardo connected on the first pitch from Griffin Jax (4-5), sending it deep into the right-field seats for his third homer to trigger an eruption of joy in Cleveland's dugout and throughout Progressive Field.

“I'm so happy for him,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who was overcome with emotion during his postgame news conference. “Everyone who grows up wanting to play baseball has dreamed of that moment happening. The smile on his face looking back at our dugout, that was incredible.”

Vogt paused to compose himself.

“My favorite part is Naylor at second base standing there watching it and cheering, waiting for him at home plate with a smile on his face,” Vogt said, his eyes reddened by tears. “To see two teammates come together like that, that's powerful stuff.”

Manzardo said his trip around the bases was unforgettable.

“I floated a little bit,” he said. “I don’t remember all of it, honestly.”

Their MLB-leading 40th come-from-behind win moved the Guardians 7 1/2 games ahead of the defending division champion Twins. It also reduced Cleveland's magic number for clinching a playoff berth to two.

Clase, who has built a strong argument for Cy Young consideration, worked the ninth for his 33rd consecutive save and No. 46 this season, tying him with José Mesa (1995) for the club's single-season record.

“It’s really special,” Clase said of catching Mesa. “It's all about the focus, being able to stay focused on every single pitch and to execute every single pitch when I get the chance to pitch.”

Rookie Andrew Walters (1-0) picked up his first career win as Cleveland's top-ranked bullpen threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings to bail out starter Matthew Boyd, who didn't get out of the third.

Pablo López pitched into the seventh inning for the Twins, but Minnesota's bullpen couldn't protect the lead.

Byron Buxton hit a two-run single for the Twins, who dropped to 8-2 against the Guardians in 2024.

Minnesota's division chances are essentially done, and every loss puts a possible wild-card spot in jeopardy.

“Our margin of error keeps shrinking and shrinking,” said López. "Now it's to the point we got to take it one game at a time, one pitch at a time, one at-bat at a time. Today will be a tough pill to swallow.

“We still have a shot. Everyone's aware of the standings. There's a scoreboard wherever you go.”

The Twins took a 3-0 lead in the third and chased Boyd, who gave up a double to Carlos Correa and then hurt himself by loading the bases with a pair of two-out walks.

Correa scored on a passed ball and Buxton brought in Minnesota's next two runs with a single that deflected off Boyd's glove into center. As Guardians second baseman Giménez tried to reach it behind the bag, he collided with umpire Chad Fairchild, who was doing all he could to get out of the way.

Giménez needed a few minutes to gather himself but stayed in.

KWAN UPDATE

Guardians All-Star left fielder and leadoff hitter Steven Kwan missed his fourth straight game with lower back soreness. Kwan went through a strenuous pregame workout and Vogt said the team should have a better handle on a timeframe for Kwan's return Tuesday.

Kwan is batting just .201 in the second half after leading MLB with a .352 average at the All-Star break.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Guardians: Vogt said RHP Alex Cobb (middle finger blister) is scheduled to throw a bullpen in “the next couple days” and providing there no setbacks, he's expected to be sent out for a minor league rehab start. The 36-year-old has only made three starts since Cleveland acquired him in a July trade from San Francisco.

UP NEXT

Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (3-9, 5.23 ERA) starts Tuesday's game against Twins rookie RHP Zebby Matthews (1-3, 7.11).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase, front right, celebrates with catcher Austin Hedges, left, after they defeated the Minnesota Twins in a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges, left, and relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase, right, celebrate after they defeated the Minnesota Twins in a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Kyle Manzardo, right, celebrates as he runs the bases with a home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. Twins' third baseman Royce Lewis is at left. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Minnesota Twins' Carlos Santana (30) watches his single with Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, left, in the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (49) reacts as he is taken out of the game by manager Rocco Baldelli, left, in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. Twins's Carlos Correa is at right. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, left, gestures to home plate umpire Carlos Torres after Bo Naylor, right, was called out on strikes in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) is taken out by manager Stephen Vogt, left, in the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Matthew Boyd pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez, second from left, is checked out after colliding with second base umpire Chad Fairchild in the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton crashes into the outfield padding after catching a fly ball for an out against Cleveland Guardians' Bo Naylor in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Minnesota Twins' Ryan Jeffers, center, gets high-fives in the dugout after scoring in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton jumps to catch a fly ball for an out against Cleveland Guardians' Bo Naylor in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Minnesota Twins' Pablo Lopez pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians right fielder Will Brennan catches a fly ball for an out against Minnesota Twins' Will Castro in the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor gestures from second base after hitting a double in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez catches a foul ball for an out against Minnesota Twins' Carlos Santana in the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase reacts after his teams defeated the Minnesota Twins in a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase pitches in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Kyle Manzardo reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)