America ashamed of $3.4 billion blunder after Australian lesson

Billions of dollars couldn’t buy America the result it wanted as Australia taught some big-name US stars a lesson before the Tokyo Olympics.

The Boomers were running hot against the USA.

Team USA is copping a tsunami of criticism from basketball pundits after suffering back-to-back defeats ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

After losing 90-87 to Nigeria in an exhibition game on the weekend, the powerhouse American outfit was outclassed by the Boomers 91-83 two days later.

The Aussies went on a golden run late in the fourth quarter on the back of Patty Mills’ scoring heroics, sending a message to the world they are a legitimate challenger for the gold medal in Tokyo.

Watch every single game of the NBA Finals Live with ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Australia now has a 2-28 all-time record against the US, the other win coming in an exhibition game before the World Championships in 2019.

The Americans are facing serious questions ahead of the Olympics. The US had lost just two official exhibition games since professional NBA players started to represent the national team in 1992. In the space of three days, the nation’s exhibition record went from 54-2 to 54-4.

It was also just the third time the US has suffered back-to-back defeats since 1992. Not exactly flattering for a squad whose combined salaries reportedly add up to an eye-watering $AUD3.4 billion.

Not even Kevin Durant could save Team USA.

NBA commentator Rob Perez labelled their offence against Australia as “embarrassing”, with the team packed with All-Star talent struggling to find alternatives to Lillard’s long-range shots.

Plenty of other voices in America were quick to express their concern.

“This is worrisome,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told SportsCenter. “Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant combined to shoot 10-of-20 on this game; that’s supposed to be a win.

“When they built this team, they built it small with shooting. They didn’t have any traditional centres … but they’re getting out-shot, and in this game, Australia killed them in the paint.

“They may win the gold medal … but if they do, it will be because they overcame adversity. And that’s not something we’re used to seeing from Team USA.”

NBA insider Marc Stein tweeted: “Losing to an Aussie team flush with toughness, continuity and legit medal hopes is not surprising.

“But a far better response, especially defensively, was expected after the Nigeria loss.”

The Athletic’s Joe Vardon wrote: “The cold hard facts are the Americans, regardless of who is on their roster, stink under (coach) Gregg Popovich, certainly by Team USA’s lofty standards. They are now 9-5 the last two summers and losers of four of the last five.

“This team has star power and two of those stars — Lillard and Durant — played OK tonight, but there are way too many leaks on defence and on the boards.”

Team USA just got chopped up by Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, and Matisse Thybulle. Are you kidding me 😂

— Andre Johnson, Jr. (@Andre247Now) July 13, 2021

what's going on wit team usa 👀 wasn't watching

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 13, 2021

Just seent that Team USA lost again in basketball… what’s going on? Are we trying?

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 13, 2021

RELATED: Boomers stunner turns torch on Simmons

When asked for his level of concern, Fox Sports’ Chris Broussard responded: “I’m waffling between a nine and a 10.

“That’s not to say that Team USA can’t win the gold; they’ve got Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum. They may just win it on those guys’ talent alone.

“That said, they should very concerned, because we all know they wanted to come out and make a statement against Australia … and instead, they lost for the fourth time in their last five international games.

“This roster is poorly constructed. There’s not a rim protector or shot blocker on the roster. You saw that last night when Australia just had its way in the paint.

“Last night we weren’t in the same stratosphere, as far as execution, as Australia.”

US sportscaster Robert Guerra told Fox Sports Radio: “What Team USA is doing to this country that I love … and embarrass us the way that they have, I can’t have it. What they are doing is embarrassing not just for themselves, not just for Gregg Popovich, but for every red blooded American in the US of A.

“These boys decided they were gonna show up and play this Soft NBA style of basketball and they’ve been exposed!”

Team USA somewhat redeemed themselves with a 108-80 victory over Argentina on Wednesday AEST.

With Tyson Otto & Sam Clench