Team USA had the day off, and took some well-deserved time away from the cruise ship to focus on something other than basketball.
They made the best of the day by hanging in Copacabana beach drinking coconut juice, and playing a few rounds of volleyball.
Behind-the-scenes with @USABasketball playing pickup beach volleyball in Rio.https://t.co/m6k6neFUUV
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 16, 2016
Maybe this will help their chemistry together on the court, because they’ve been playing at an alarmingly low level for a team of All-Star caliber players for the past couple of games.
In one shot, you can see DeMarcus Cousins playing with one hand on his drink and the other free to spike the ball, although that’s not a very good way to play winning volleyball.
.@KlayThompson seems like he’s dancing ???????? nice multi-tasking @boogiecousins! pic.twitter.com/nKivyFFywo
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 16, 2016
The team was in attendance on Monday night watching Team USA’s Volleyball squad win the quarterfinals against Australia and probably gained inspiration to get some time in on the sand.
They can be seen here singing “Happy Birthday” with the crowd to Kerri Walsh after the win.
In true #TeamUSA spirit @USABasketball serenades @kerrileewalsh on her 38th birthday! ???????????? https://t.co/N7AWVOTvgy https://t.co/4O0OD5mieR
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 15, 2016
Needless to say it was purely for fun, and they will be back soon to do what they do best, which is basketball.
Here's a bit more footage of the team playing.
Follow Us
Subscribe