As Nigerian author Chinua Achebe is aware, Things Fall Apart. In this instance, that 'thing' was their basketball team. The good news for Nigeria is that they scored 73 points, which is the most a foe has totaled against Team USA in the 2012 Olympics thus far. The not nearly as good news is that they lost by 83 points, effortlessly eradicated by the widest winning margin in Olympic hoops history, as well as the highest amount of points. Both records and their rivals' resolve were broken.
Nigeria's nightmare manifested itself in the form of Carmelo Anthony, who made the most of his 14 minutes of action, exploding like a stick of dynamite dressed as a small forward, for 37 points, setting a U.S. mark. Anthony's shooting was so hot (13-16 from the field) he might've melted the nets. His fantastic firing from beyond the arc - he hit 10 of 12 treys - was beyond belief. The team as a whole torched the twine as well, swishing 71% of its attempts. 'Melo was in the zone, while Nigeria was in The Twilight Zone, behind by 24 after the first quarter and it only got worse, as their scoring total steadily declined every subsequent quarter. Right away, Team USA reeled off a 13-0 run and before Nigeria could counter they were buried like a high school class's time capsule - only with more shameful stuff to scrutinize. Coach K recommended that Nigeria flush the game film, but we're not privy to their plans. That brings to mind the British idiom: You win some, you loo some.
*We know, he's cocky, not Cockney.
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