Suffice to say, Team USA is a bit (sea)sick of talking about their accommodations at the Rio Games – a 196-cabin cruise ship they’re sharing with the U.S. women’s basketball team.
After the Americans’ 113-69 romp over Venezuela on Monday night, a French reporter asked Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski about the choice of “living on a boat.”
Krzyzewski launched into a humorous and light-hearted version of Jim Mora’s infamous “playoffs?” rant.
“Well, we don’t live on a boat, we’re staying on a boat,” Coach K replied. “I actually live in Durham, N.C., and have a swimming pool. Once in a while I get on a raft and lie in there. I’ve never really thought about living on a boat.
“Since 1992, the U.S. teams have stayed in different locations because of the accommodations. It’s not our boat. We’re not the only people on the boat. We say good morning to them, hello. We actually make friends on the boat. I never knew I would have boat friends. Now that I’m talking about it, I might go and buy a boat and put it in … I’d need a bigger swimming pool.
“Nah, it’s a place to stay. We’re here to play basketball. And the people of Rio have been unbelievable in terms of their hospitality. We’re fortunate to be here, whether we’re on a boat or not.”
The only player at the podium was the Bulls’ Jimmy Butler, who answered succinctly: “I just do what I’m told. They say: ‘Sleep on the boat,’ so I sleep on the boat.”
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