The Paris Olympics’ basketball semifinals saw USA and Serbia square off in what should have been a straightforward game for the Americans. However, the matchup quickly turned into a heated contest, brimming with tension, sparked by an unexpected gesture from Serbian guard Bogdan Bogdanovic. As the game progressed, emotions on both sides escalated, turning the hardwood into a battleground of pride and respect.
The moment of tension erupted midway through the game when Bogdanovic, one of Serbia’s most formidable players, sank a crucial three-pointer. In a move that was clearly more than just a celebration, Bogdanovic pounded the side of his head—a gesture famously associated with Carmelo Anthony, one of USA Basketball’s greatest players. The act took on a deeper significance as Anthony himself, along with his son, was seated courtside, watching intently as the drama unfolded.
The gesture did not go unnoticed. LeBron James, a living legend of the game, appeared visibly irked as the teams headed to their benches following Bogdanovic’s display. The tension was palpable as James re-entered the game, responding almost immediately with a three-pointer of his own. He didn’t stop there—James backed down Bogdanovic on the very next play, muscling his way to the basket and scoring over him with an authority that left no doubt about the message being sent. To punctuate his dominance, James performed the ‘too small’ gesture, a not-so-subtle indication that Bogdanovic was out of his depth in challenging him.
Despite the Americans pulling off a stunning fourth-quarter rally to secure a narrow 95-91 victory, the feelings of disrespect lingered well after the final buzzer. Devin Booker, another key figure for Team USA and a star for the Phoenix Suns, took to Instagram shortly after the game to weigh in on the situation. Booker posted a picture of himself mimicking Anthony’s signature gesture, captioning it with a pointed message: “respect the legends.” The post, dripping with undertones of indignation, underscored the deep respect Booker and his teammates hold for the icons of their sport—a respect they felt was violated by Bogdanovic’s actions.
Bogdanovic’s frustration was evident even in defeat. He led Serbia with 20 points, playing with an intensity that bordered on ferocity. However, as he entered the postgame handshake line, his demeanor suggested that the loss was more bitter than usual. He exchanged daps with the American players, but his frown and curt gestures spoke volumes. Adding to the tension, Bogdanovic directed a stream of complaints at the referees, clearly unhappy with how the game had been officiated.
The history between Bogdanovic and Carmelo Anthony only added fuel to the fire. The two had faced off before, most notably during the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Team USA, led by Anthony and Kevin Durant, handed Serbia a crushing defeat in the gold medal game. The bitter memories of that loss seemed to hang over this latest encounter, with Bogdanovic seeking a measure of revenge that ultimately went unfulfilled.
The subtext of Bogdanovic’s relationship with the Phoenix Suns also added a layer of intrigue to the drama. Drafted by the Suns in 2014, Bogdanovic never played a game for the team that initially held his rights. Instead, in 2016, the Suns traded his rights to the Sacramento Kings, a move that, ironically, helped them acquire the draft pick used to select Marquese Chriss. The connection to Booker, who was drafted by the Suns just a year after Bogdanovic, adds a twist of irony to the current tension.
As Team USA heads into the gold medal game, the shadow of this clash with Serbia will undoubtedly linger. The tension, born of pride and the fierce defense of legacies, will be remembered as a defining moment in what has already been a tumultuous Olympic campaign. The world will be watching closely to see if these simmering emotions resurface in the final showdown.
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