Mutombo knows why Nigeria created history

When the final buzzer sounded on the USA’s 156-73 win over Nigeria last week, history was made in two ways:

1) The most points scored in an Olympic game and
2) The highest point differential (83) since Team USA’s own previous record of 72 (recorded following a 101-29 victory over Thailand).

Entering the USA match-up six days ago, Nigeria were sitting comfortably in Group A following their win over Tunisia in the opener and although they followed that with a 19 point loss to Lithuania, Nigeria by no means looked like they were capable of making history in the worst way possible.

So what happened?

Congolese-born Dikembe Mutombo, has had a number of days to reflect on what he saw from his continent compatriots last week and thinks the glitz and glamour of Team USA may have distracted the Nigerians.

“If you look at the way they (Nigeria) ran their offense, you can give them a little bit of credit,” explained the former four-time defensive player. “Defensively, I think (some of the players) were more intimidated than the players who play on such a big stage every given night. And some of the players from Nigeria, they were just fans. They were happy to be in the Olympics but for them it was a glory day to be playing the same court with the NBA players.

“They didn’t know if their mind should be on the game or ‘get a picture of me playing Kobe Bryant or Lebron’. I think that’s where they lost their mind a little bit.”

Players getting starstruck at the Olympics? That sounds like something worthy of a Mutombo finger wag.