It’s about to be an opening game grudge match in the Olympics semis. Charles Barkley is understandably biting his nails. Team USA has been squeaking by with wins after beating Serbia in the first game in Paris. Make no mistake, Barkley has immense confidence in a power-packed team of the NBA’s best active players. But the other team has Nikola Jokic. While calling into NBC’s Late Night in Paris, he’s cautioning Team USA to not take Serbia lightly though they won against them at first.

Serbia started the Olympics with a 110-84 blowout loss to the Kevin Durant–LeBron James combination. But it has so far refused to roll over in the group phase and they’re getting scarier with each game. At least Barkley has noted. “We should win the gold medal, but you got to be really careful with that Serbian team. Because I don’t think that they’re really trying to win their practice game or the other round because those games don’t mean anything.”

Sir Charles seemingly noted that Serbia is bringing down their opponent’s guard by hiding their real potential for the medal games. Especially after bouncing back from a 24-point deficit against France. “When you get to the knockout rounds, you just got to outplay a great team one time,” Barkley warns Team USA while also adding, “They gon’ have the best player in the world out there,” referring to The Joker.

For this reason, Barkley explicitly states, “I’m really concerned about the Serbia game to be honest with you.” He does say that Team USA has a very high chance of winning gold. But most observers note that they’re faltering in chemistry between the veterans and the first-time Olympians. It would be a gross mistake, as per Chuck, to underestimate Serbia in that situation.

But it looks like Team USA is prepared for exactly what Barkley warned. Initial reports before the semifinals indicate the American squad has its own strategy to counter Serbia.

Team USA’s counter-strategy to Nikola Jokic

Team USA beat Serbia in the exhibition games in Abu Dhabi and again in the opening games of Group C. Thursday, they meet at the court in Bercy for their third matchup. Despite Serbia’s faltering, reigning three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic is arguably the strongest contender in the games. His rest minutes directly affect Serbia’s performance each time. He’s the one to beat in the semis.

USA’s strategy would apparently be putting their bigs, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo against him. Note that Jokic doesn’t have Jamal Murray the way he does in Denver. Moreover, Bogdan Bogdanovic is Serbia’s answer to Steph Curry.

Both teams also have a history to look back on. Their matchups in the 2014 FIBA and 2016 Olympics gave important lessons to learn from. Both times Jokic was close to pulling an upset. Steve Kerr too said they’re not stupid enough to underestimate Serbia after two wins. Charles Barkley though will be at the edge of his seat for now.

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