In their quest for a fifth consecutive gold medal, Team USA has displayed their dominance in the Olympic pool play, winning all three games to secure the top overall seed for the medal round in Paris. With a resounding 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico, the American team showcased their strength and depth, leaving no doubt about their championship aspirations.

Led by coach Steve Kerr, Team USA finished their preparations in excellent fashion before heading to the French capital. Kerr expressed satisfaction with their performance, stating, "I think we got done what we wanted to accomplish, winning all three games and securing the top seed. We know we have to play better. Part of this tournament is it gets harder as you go."

Throughout their journey in the Olympic pool play, Team USA has exhibited the traits they have developed over the past four weeks. One of their standout performers has been Kevin Durant, who has consistently made a significant impact coming off the bench. Durant's contribution of 11 points in the victory over Puerto Rico brings his total to 48 points across the three games in Lille. Notably, he is just five points away from setting the all-time American Olympic scoring record, currently held by women's team legend Lisa Leslie.

Joining Durant in the second unit, Anthony Edwards provided a memorable performance, scoring 15 points in his first 10 minutes on the floor and finishing with 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting. His breakaway windmill dunk in the fourth quarter thrilled the 27,000 fans at Stade Pierre Mauroy, becoming one of the lasting memories from the USA games in Lille.

LeBron James, the veteran playmaker, showcased his timeless skills as he orchestrated the offense from the point guard position. With eight assists against Puerto Rico, James demonstrated his ability to set up his teammates, including the impressive Edwards. Recognizing the chemistry between them, Edwards praised James, stating, "KD and Bron man, they're the best two people. I mean, team players. They always want to see the person next to him shine. I told Bron, 'If you ain't got no shot, I'll find one.'"

The second unit, consisting of players like Anthony Davis, Derrick White, and Bam Adebayo, proved to be a game-changer for Team USA in the Olympic pool play. Their collective defensive effort, rim protection, and rebounding were simply too much for Puerto Rico to handle. The team's bench performances have become a crucial aspect of their game plan, and Team USA will rely on their continued contributions throughout the upcoming medal round.

Saturday's game also provided an opportunity for Joel Embiid to find his rhythm. After a slow start in the Olympics, Embiid capitalized on his size advantage and put in 15 points while also delivering two blocks. The interaction with the French crowd, which booed him for choosing to play for Team USA, didn't faze Embiid, who saw it as a sign of respect for his skills on the court.

Jayson Tatum, who was initially on the bench for the Olympic opener, has now started his second consecutive game and made his presence felt with an impressive stat line of 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.

Now, as Team USA prepares for the quarterfinals at Bercy Arena, they are aware that any loss would cost them their gold medal aspirations. LeBron James emphasized the challenges ahead, stating, "We know it's going to be difficult, it's going to be challenging. We better be ready to go."

With their sights firmly set on claiming another gold medal, Team USA enters the medal round in Paris with confidence, backed by their exceptional performance in Olympic pool play.