What's Next For USA Basketball?
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
By: Vince Wilson
The USA basketball team has left the World Cup Games for the second consecutive time without a medal as they lost the Bronze Medal game in overtime to Canada. This is only Canada's second medal in international basketball competition since 1936, behind a dominant performance from Shai Gileous Alexander who had 31 points and 12 assists. After starting 4-0, the USA team stumbled to the finish line losing 3 of their last 4 including close losses to Lithuania and Germany finishing 4th Place with a 5-3 record.
The emergence of Anthony Edwards and Austin Reeves were the only bright spots for the USA team as the team looked overwhelmed and incohesive. The USA team can still redeem themselves in the upcoming Olympic Games as they won gold both times. They missed a medal in 2006 and 2019, although many are feeling a need to revamp the team, and maybe the coaching, as the team lacks the star power and roster balance to compete. Coach Kerr’s small ball five guard rotations were continuously outplayed by bigger teams and seemingly unable to stop anyone defensively. Germany’s big man and NBA journeyman Daniel Theis scored 21 points after only scoring 21 or more six times in his entire NBA career. Canada’s Dillon Brook’s 39 points were more points than he’s ever scored in any NBA game.
Dillon Brooks scored 39 points against Team USA, making 7 of his 8 attempts from 3-point range while drawing "MVP" chants from the crowd.
Photo Credit: Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images
With USA’s ‘C’ team failing to medal, the question is, what’s next for USA Basketball?
LeBron James has entered the chat with a tweet. LBJ posts a cryptic ‘eyes emoji’ over an NBA CENTRAL tweet that has sent the sports world into a frenzy. LeBron James was a part of the disappointing 2004 Bronze team before joining forces with the late great Kobe Bryant for the Redeem team in 2008 and bringing back gold to the States. LeBron hasn’t played in international competitions since 2016 and it looks like he may be eyeing a comeback and last dance for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Many are hoping the recruiters can get Durant, Curry, Tatum, and the NBA’s elite to join him and bring back the Gold to the USA. Throw in the God of USA Basketball, Carmelo Anthony, and we may see the medal again.
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Meet Vince Wilson, contributing Writer for 247 Live Culture!