Basketball historians can describe the relations between the USA and Serbia and two names would define it – Carmelo Anthony and Bogdan Bogdanovic. And no, it’s not exclusive to that recent smack-talk episode before Team USA got the last laugh. Since Olympic basketball became packed with NBA talent, the USA and Serbia have had some intense nail-biter. The semis on Thursday felt a lot like their past Olympic matchups, including Melo’s uplifting presence. It’s no intense feud as some would like to believe but two very competitive shooters meeting in an international setting.

Since Bogdanovic entered the NBA in 2020, he’s had to compete against Melo a bit as he edged toward retirement with multiple scoring titles. Comparing Serbia’s #7 to one of the greatest NBA players to wear #7 is apples and oranges. But the history they share makes Thursday’s battle royale interesting.

Two rivals meet again

Carmelo Anthony may have not won an NBA ring but his legacy in the Olympics is greatness. For three out of four international appearances, Melo’s insane scoring ability was responsible for Team USA’s three gold finishes. He skipped Tokyo and retired in 2023. Yet he couldn’t skip his favorite playground out of retirement and was in Paris, specifically Team USA’s game against Serbia.

After passing on the 2021 games, Bogdan Bogdanovic is back on the Serbian national team, this time as an NBA pro too. Yet he hasn’t ended his streak of losing against the USA since 2016. Serbia lost to the USA twice, in the exhibition and in the opening game. Their seriousness though was not to be underestimated in a semifinal setting.

For 35 minutes out of a 40-minute game, Team USA was behind by double digits while Nikola Jokić was on the floor. Perhaps, Melo was getting so worried for his guys on the sidelines that he resorted to coaching from his seat. Then things got dramatic.

Bogdanovic sunk a three looked at Carmelo Anthony in the audience and did his signature ‘3 to the dome’ celebration. And he jinxed it. In Melo’s absence, Team USA got a scoring force in Steph Curry, who had to pass on previous chances to play alongside Anthony due to health reasons. Bogdan was supposed to be Serbia’s answer to Curry who staggered a bit in the previous games. This time The Chef sunk nine 3-pointers, made 36 points, and ended the game with a 95-91 win. Talk about a nailbiter!

Part of the Internet gives credit to Serbia’s Bogdanovic for Team USA’s win. By talking trash to one of the finest athletes Team USA has seen, he triggered LeBron James to exact revenge.

Serbia won the bronze, a little step down for Bogdanovic who won silver in 2016 and in other international appearances, but never a gold. He looked absolutely devastated at the end, probably getting flashbacks to Rio.

Melo, the inspiration

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were skipping the 2016 Olympics and Carmelo Anthony almost did too. But the youngsters urged him to captain them and Melo agreed. He’d not only set multiple Team USA records in this appearance and become the all-time leading scorer (a record that Kevin Durant beat eventually), but he scarred 23-year-old Bogdanovic.

USA and Serbia were in the finals that year. During the game, Anthony hit a 3 and did his signature celebration directed at Bogdan. It obviously stayed with him, including the blowout 96-66 loss to the USA for the silver medal.

Yet let’s be clear there are no hard feelings. Melo said on Instagram after the game that it was no taunt. “Wasn’t a taunt. It was respect,” he replied to a fan’s comment. It sure did look personal to the rest of us. Later, Bogdanovic shared a comment from Melo writing, “RESPEC7.” (Melo wore #15 in Team USA, and Bogdan wore #7 for Serbia.)

But Devin Booker posted a picture of himself doing the ‘3 to the dome’ celebration with the caption, “Respect the legends.” So it might be a sign of respect to imitate Anthony.

Some theorize Bogdan was using his former rival as a motivation. Too bad the disrespect for Team USA’s legend was pretty motivating to the American squad too.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.