There’s plenty of talent on Team USA as it prepares for the FIBA World Cup, but no one would mistake it for an Olympic team.
The glamour of the Olympics attracts the best players in the world, but for Americans the World Cup is geared more toward those who want to break into international competition. There are few All-Stars on this year’s roster, and many of the players are in the early stages of their careers.
The starting lineup for Monday’s first exhibition game featured Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson and Jaren Jackson Jr. Team USA started slowly — leading Puerto Rico by just seven points at halftime — but eventually pulled away for a 43-point win.
Without a dominant scorer, the U.S. displayed the kind of balanced attack it will likely need to make a serious run in the tournament. Edwards and Cameron Johnson led the way with 15 points apiece as Team USA had seven players in double figures.
“I think the guys have really picked up what we’re trying to install at both ends, and we’re slowly but surely getting used to the FIBA rules and interpretations — coaches included,” head coach Steve Kerr said after the win, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “It’s all part of the process of getting accustomed to what we’re going to be facing.”
Tyrese Haliburton, who had 12 assists against Puerto Rico, is part of a deep bench that will make it challenging for Kerr to allocate minutes. The U.S. also has Austin Reaves and Josh Hart in the backcourt, Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and Cameron Johnson as forwards and Bobby Portis and Walker Kessler in the middle.
Kerr may rely on a small-ball approach, Bontemps adds in a separate story, noting that Team USA never had two big men on the court at the same time against Puerto Rico or in its scrimmages against the Select Team. Banchero even saw time at center after Jackson got into foul trouble, and Kerr indicated that he’ll continue to be used in that role.
There are much tougher tests ahead for the Americans, starting with Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Saturday. There are also exhibition contests against medal contenders Spain, Greece and Germany before the tournament begins August 26.
The U.S. is always viewed as a favorite in any international setting, but it’s coming off an embarrassing seventh-place finish in the World Cup four years ago. Team USA will be facing more experienced opponents that are led by bigger stars and are more accustomed to playing together.
We want to get your opinion. Is the U.S. squad good enough to bring home the gold medal or will this be another disappointment in a non-Olympic year? Please leave your comments in the space below.
This says Bridges led the way with 14… Didn’t Ant have 15?
Yeah, Johnson too. That’s been fixed.
I will take my chances with any team that has Ant, BI and JJJ…the entire roster is truly star studded. Brunson, Bridges, Paolo, Haliburton…good Lord, who is going to compete with them?? Would you rather have Chris Paul and Draymond slowing things down?…lol, I guess that might be Kerr’s backup plan.
How bout SGA and Jamal Murray, they are both better than those guys
to bad they’re canadian.
So if they were from Argentina or Greece, they would beat US?)
I’m not even sure they’ll get a medal
hahahahaha good one
In 2019 the US was 7th with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchel, Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart, Myles Turner, Brook López, Harrison Barnes… For me that team was better than this one. So not out of the question they come back empty-handed.
Those guys were all young then for the most part and got thrown into international waters by Rod Thorn whom was acting like a positive tyrant about it all.
It’s not about better as much as it is handling the culture shocks.
We are guaranteed to finish no less than 4th due to not having to travel anywhere for three weeks once the tourney starts.
That is a great point, but I have seen the eyes of Ant, BI, and JJJ when they are on the court…maybe Tatum and Mitchel run that way, but not everyone on that old team…plus, Brunson, Bridges, Paolo and Haliburton all have a chip on their shoulder – they finish out games day in and day out. Kerr did a great job picking this group. Ant is not going to let these guys sit around and not compete – and I don’t think he will have anything to worry about. It is too bad about SGA as he’d fit in really well!…such a baller!
Where are the so called super Stars to get it done. To busy counting their money?
There is a lot to count!! They better enjoy these max contracts now, as teams cap structures get screwed with one max, let alone two. This new CBA really didn’t take into consideration the guys that might make $6-8Mill a year…they may be lumped down into the minimum-$4mill range moving forward.
I like the approach of the US going with depth, youth and versatility. Addressing the lack of star power, there’s not a solution to that. Guys like LeBron, Curry, Butler, Booker and Durant weren’t snubbed on the invite. They aren’t playing, because there isn’t the same glory and prestige of this event as there is with the Olympics.
Just go back to the old way and make it the college seniors. Since the best don’t care to represent their country we should just change it back
Ant, BI, and JJJ are three of the absolute best. We are lucky to be able to watch this entire team!…nothing to be sad about, and definitely no reason to use college players.
Paolo Banchero
Forward
Orlando Magic
Mikal Bridges
Forward
Brooklyn Nets
Jalen Brunson
Guard
New York Knicks
Anthony Edwards
Guard
Minnesota Timberwolves
Tyrese Haliburton
Guard
Indiana Pacers
Brandon Ingram
Forward
New Orleans Pelicans
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Center
Memphis Grizzlies
Cameron Johnson
Forward
Brooklyn Nets
Walker Kessler
Center
Utah Jazz
Bobby Portis
Center
Milwaukee Bucks
Austin Reaves
Guard
Los Angeles Laker
Its the exhibition games you gotta worry about. In no way are they. These are real games and the other teams will be at max level to take America out.
It will hardly matter what we do in the real games. The competition is to weak till the semifinals. With a knock out or two along the way we could cruise in right into the finals no problem.
These exhibition games and how we do will determine how our 25 – 28 years will be percieved.
One loss in the exhibitions will freak America out. If we don’t win the games in arch typical American arrogant blow out fashion all will freak out just the same.
This group has a lot being put on them that does not have anything to with the games as much as it is how we are viewed and respected the next 5 years.
It will affect everyone’s careers big time if we don’t come back with the gold.
Again, guys like Ant, BI, and JJJ – they are absolute winners….they find ways to win, and they hold other players accountable. The rest of the team are all on the same page – I don’t see this as an arrogant US team that thinks they win just because they show up – Ant won’t let that happen, and he is def the leader within this group. Paolo may be a year behind, but he will also crack a whip…still, this entire team has great kids so I am not even worried about that.