‘This is embarrassing’: Team USA in meltdown after Boomers loss

Australia has beaten the star-studded USA team for the second time ever to stun the basketball world ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Patty Mills was deadly.

Australia has beaten the USA men’s basketball team for just the second time ever in a massive boilover in their Tokyo Olympics warm-up series.

The Aussies went on a golden run late in the fourth quarter on the back of Patty Mills’ scoring heroics to win 91-83.

The Aussies went on an 11-1 run to end the game to send a message to the world that they are a legitimate challenger for the gold medal in Tokyo.

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It had been locked up 80-80 with five minutes to play in Las Vegas before Mills stepped up down the stretch with six straight points as he went on to finish with 22 points.

The inspirational 32-year-old had nine points in the fourth quarter, while Chris Goulding had a massive second half with 11 points in less than 10 minutes on court, while Matisse Thybulle (12 points) and Joe Ingles (17 points) were also dangerous.

‘Embarrassing’ USA melting down

It was Team USA’s second straight loss just days out from the Olympics after they fell short against Nigeria over the weekend.

Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Matisse Thybulle all come up big in the @aus_boomers victory over #USABMNT in exhibition play to prepare for Tokyo.@Patty_Mills: 22 PTS (10 in 4th)@Joeingles7: 17 PTS, 3 3PM@MatisseThybulle: 12 PTS, 3 STL, 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/InXEGZmykS

— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2021

Bradley Beal (12 points), Kevin Durant (17) and Damian Lillard (22) led the Americans — who are now facing serious questions ahead of the Olympics after a series of defeats in recent years.

The Boomers toppled the USA during the 2019 series on home soil and can now claim two wins over the US in the past 24 months.

Matisse Thybulle blocks a shot by Jerami Grant. AFP.

Jock Landale dunks on the United States.

The USA’s offence was labelled “embarrassing” by NBA commentator Rob Perez on Twitter after the team struggled to find any alternatives to Damien Lillard long-range bombs against the Boomers’ defence.

His frustrations and fears are shared by plenty of sport commentators across the United States.

this is embarrassing. every play we run is called “Dame, save us.”

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) July 13, 2021

Should I be worried about our men’s National Basketball Tm or no? Guess Middleton, Holiday and Book going to make a difference. Lost 2 exhibition gms in 30 yrs, lost 2 more in 48hrs😔😔😔😔

— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) July 13, 2021

The USA had lost just two official exhibition games since professional NBA players began representing the national team in 1992.

According to ESPN Stats, the team had been 54-2 in that time, but have now doubled that loss record in the space of three days.

In total competition, it is just the third time since 1992 that the United States have suffered back to back losses, having lost consecutive games at the 2019 Basketball World Cup where the team failed to reach the semi-finals.

Patty Mills keeps his eye on Draymond Green.

USA coach bristles in heated press conference exchange

United States coach Gregg Popovich was in a mood following his team’s alarming defeat to Australia and one reporter was on the end of his fury during the post-match press conference.

When asked about the USA’s history of destroying some developing basketball countries in previous years, Popovich snarled at the reporter’s suggestion.

Gregg Popovich got into a heated exchange with a reporter after Team USA's loss to Australia pic.twitter.com/P3VZc7Lbs6

— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) July 13, 2021

Popovich replied: “You asked the same sort of question... last time where you assumed things that are not true.

“When you just mentioned blowing these teams out. That’s never happened. I don’t know where you get that.”

When the reporter tried to cut in, Popovich refused to budge before they tried to talk over the top of one another.

“Can I finish? Can I finish? Can I finish my statement? Are you going to let me finish my statement or not? So you’ll be quiet now, you won’t talk,” the veteran coach said.

“When you make statements about in the past blowing out these other teams — number one, you have no respect for the other teams. I talked to you last time about the same thing. We’ve had very close games against four or five countries in all these tournaments. So the good teams do not get blown out.”

The only worry in a proud day for Australian basketball

Earlier in the game there was a potential hammer blow for the Boomers with centre Aron Baynes suffering a painful injury.

After colliding with Bradley Beal, Baynes fell over clutching his right knee and did not return for the rest of the game.

His potential injury is the only concern for Australia heading into the Olympics.

Tuesday’s win sent Australian basketball commentators into a spin.

Team USA basketball in exhibition play

1992-2021: 54-2
Last 3 days: 0-2

— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) July 13, 2021

All-time basketball rankings
1 Boomers Mills
2 Michael Jordan
3 LeBron James
4 Olympics Melo

— James Silver (@JamesSilver3) July 13, 2021

U.S.A Basketball simply do not have the talent to hang with the Boomers. It's not their fault. It's not a basketball nation.

— James Colley (@JamColley) July 13, 2021

Boomers were better, tougher, smarter. And now they will all get “Pissed” and have a beer.

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) July 13, 2021

It comes just days since Mills nailed the match-winning three as time expired in Australia’s 87-84 victory over world No. 4 Argentina in a performance that had coach Brian Goorjian beaming.

Philadelphia 76ers player Matisse Thybulle established himself as a key plank of the Boomers’ Tokyo campaign with a superb all-round showing that included a perfect three-from-three from beyond the arc, a handful of thunderous fast-break dunks as well as his trademark lockdown defence.

Australia next faces Nigeria on Wednesday and will close out their Tokyo warm-up matches with a second game against the Americans.

The Olympic basketball tournament gets underway on Sunday, July 25.