Loss to Boomers puts pressure on Team USA but it would be foolish to write them off for World Cup
They’ve just lost to the Boomers for the first time ever and a missing a host of stars, but write off Team USA’s chances of winning the World Cup at your peril.
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They’ve been dubbed the “worst” Team USA in history but there is a purpose to the collection of rising stars and role players that can’t be dismissed.
The US squad, who will play Canada in Sydney on Monday, is aiming to continue American basketball’s World Cup dominance in China next month.
Team USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all eighteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with 15 golds.
Add in five World Championship crowns and the American hoop stars stand alongside the New Zealand All Blacks as the most successful international sporting side on the planet.
Two of Team USA’s gold medal-winning teams were inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in August 2010.
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The 1960 team, which featured six Hall of Famers (4 players, 2 coaches), and the 1992 “Dream Team”, featuring 14 Hall of Famers (11 players, 3 coaches).
Of course, with success comes pressure to perform and emulate legendary forefathers like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
It’s an expectation that has increased tenfold following Team USA’s upset loss to Australia in Saturday’s exhibition match in Melbourne.
The 98-94 defeat snapped a 30-game winning streak for the USA on Aussie soil since 1956. It is also Team USA’s first loss in 13 years following 78 consecutive wins.
The loss to the Boomers will only place further pressure on the weakened USA side heading into the World Cup, which starts on August 31.
The last time America appeared on the World Cup stage in 2014 in Spain they claimed gold with rising names at the time like Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
Curry and Thompson had come off a first-round exit in the Western Conference playoffs with the Golden State Warriors while Irving’s Cleveland Cavaliers finished 10th in the East.
Despite their disappointing NBA seasons, the trio excelled in the Team USA system playing alongside stars like James Harden and Anthony Davis while competing on the world stage.
After claiming gold with Team USA, an energised and more confident Curry, Thompson and Irving returned to the NBA and enjoyed stellar seasons.
Their teams Golden State and Cleveland met in the 2014-2015 NBA Finals, with the Warriors winning a thrilling series 4-2.
Curry was named the NBA MVP while Thompson and Irving put their names on the basketball map with impressive seasons.
Flash forward five years and Team USA have once again selected a group of promising talent for the World Cup following a host of big-name withdrawals.
For all the criticism aimed at this understrength side, there is a strength in what they’re doing and who they’re picking.
It’s why veteran coach Gregg Popovich, who has won five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs, isn’t worried about reporters hailing his side not the best.
“I’ve never been big on what people say,” Popovich said.
“I just know that these are the guys that are sacrificing to play for their country.
“And it is a heck of a good group.
“We are set to go.”
Boomers legend Chris Anstey, who had two stints in the NBA with Chicago and Dallas between 1997 and 2000, believes the 2019 USA sides only weakness is its youthfulness in the big moments.
“But their talent is still off the charts,” Anstey said.
“Donovan Mitchell and Kemba Walker would be top 30 players in the NBA and you’ve got a bunch of guys who play their roles the best.
“That is something that the US learnt from the early days.
“You don’t pick the best 12 players — you pick 12 players that are going to help you win.
“You need shooters out there and that is Joe Harris, Walker. You also need guys that fill roles as well.
“It’s why the USA will be tough to beat.”
Team USA vs Canada at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Monday, August 26 from 7.30pm (AEST) Live on SBS Viceland from 730pm.
Team USA: Annual salaries
Harrison Barnes — Sacramento Kings ($24 million US)
Jaylen Brown — Boston Celtics ($6 million US)
Joe Harris — Brooklyn Nets ($7 million US)
Kyle Kuzma — Los Angeles Lakers ($2 million US)
Brook Lopez — Milwaukee Bucks ($13 million US)
Khris Middleton — Milwaukee Bucks ($35 million US)
Donovan Mitchell — Utah Jazz ($3 million US)
Mason Plumlee — Denver Nuggets ($14 million US)
Marcus Smart — Boston Celtics ($12 million US)
Jayson Tatum — Boston Celtics ($7 million US)
Myles Turner — Indiana Pacers ($18 million US)
Kemba Walker — Boston Celtics ($32 million US)
Derrick White — San Antonio Spurs ($2 million US)
Team USA Olympic record:
15 gold
1 silver
2 bronze
World Cup:
5 championships
3 runners up
4 third place
1992 Barcelona Olympics — The original Dream Team
The first American team to feature NBA players, which was dubbed “the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet”
Beat their opponents by an average of 44 points on their way to the gold medal.
David Robinson
Patrick Ewing
Larry Bird
Scottie Pippen
Michael Jordan
Clyde Drexler
Karl Malone
John Stockton
Charles Barkley
Magic Johnson
1996 Atlanta Olympics — Team USA won gold
Charles Barkley
Anfernee Hardaway
Grant Hill
Karl Malone
Reggie Miller
Hakeem Olajuwon
Shaquille O’Neal
Gary Payton
Scottie Pippen
David Robinson
John Stockton
2000 Sydney Olympics — Team USA won Gold
Ray Allen
Vin Baker
Vince Carter
Kevin Garnett
Tim Hardaway
Allan Houston
Jason Kidd
Alonzo Mourning
Gary Payton
Steve Smith
2004 Athens Olympics — Won bronze with Argentina led by legendary San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili winning gold.
Allen Iverson
Stephon Marbury
Dwyane Wade
Carlos Boozer
Carmelo Anthony
LeBron James
Tim Duncan
Richard Jefferson
Originally published as Loss to Boomers puts pressure on Team USA but it would be foolish to write them off for World Cup
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