Will Team USA get knocked Out? A trio of nail-biting victories has exposed some ugly flaws in both their schemes and preparation, deficiencies they may have been able to hide better if they were at full strength with Team USA mainstays like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Steph Curry, etc.in attendance. The topic of gold medals and NBA rings has come up with increasingly regularity around Team USA in recent days, with New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony in pursuit of his third gold medal, which would be a first for a U.S. Olympian in men’s basketball.
Advertisement
“I think they’re above National Basketball Association rings”, Jordan told ESPN. As previously mentioned, France will be a hard team to beat after only winning by three earlier in the group stage.
“I think we just let up a little bit (defensively) and you can’t let up in this kind of tournament”, said Thompson.
Because the NBA is the best professional basketball league on earth, the US has always excelled on the Olympic stage – the one time that American players can show their global prowess. On August 6, the day of the American men’s 119-62 rout of China, I texted two of my oldest and most respected hoops confidants with a simple statement, paraphrasing here: “I think this team is not the smartest or most motivated”.
At that time, there had been discussion inside the USA basketball program about possibly using professionals in upcoming Olympics.
As a reminder, the Australian team has a banner from its trip to Uluru hanging in the athlete’s village in Rio. Where the hell is the defense?
Shaun Powell, NBA.com: The level of concern is cool. Yes, there have been some relatively close calls and the ride a bit bumpy, but here in the money round I don’t see the U.S. exposing much vulnerability.
WELL THAT’S A RELIEF: Playing for Team USA does not hurt players’ performance in the ensuing season.
Australia is arguably the second best team in the Olympic basketball field right now, outscoring opponents by double digits about as often as the Americans do. Still, Spain is once again the biggest threat to beat the U.S. The team still has plenty of work to do, as this was once again a closer game than it needed to be.
Frankly, you can comprehend why everyone on the team looks listless and passionless. But if U.S. and Spain meet in the semis, it may be a toss-up. “I talked to a team about that. This is every four years”. It was a return to form, with the USA dominated the competition en route to winning the gold. There’s a good chance they can continue to survive by taking the same approach, but it’s not the foregone conclusion it felt like before the opening ceremonies. It was when rower Megan Kalmoe of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin (pop. 2,094) wrote about the media coverage of the health risks and pollution in Rio, “I will row through s**t for you, America”.
The U.S. won its 50th straight tournament game, but the last three have been nothing like most of the previous 47. “We’ve got to lock up, and we will”. “Teams are just loading up and watching us play one-on-one”.
The way things are going, the Americans will take all the help they can get. We even thought this might be the best defensive team of the current Olympic era. “I know Geno doesn’t”. Because this team seems awkwardly constructed.
Advertisement
The issues against France came on defense. “I’m just so honored to be here at the Olympic Games”. For us, it’s just figuring out how we’re going to win.
