FIBA World Cup Preview: Team USA
By Bryce Olin
Prediction
How can anyone pick against the United States?
In group play, the USA will dominate everyone. There’s no question about it. As I said earlier, Turkey will be the USA’s toughest competition in the group. Still, the USA shouldn’t have a problem with Turkey. No other teams in Group C are ranked.
Moving to bracket play, the USA only has the possibility of playing two teams ranked in FIBA’s top ten, fourth-ranked Lithuania and ninth-ranked Australia. While each of those teams are in Group D, the USA would likely play Australia in the quarterfinals and Lithuania in the semifinals. Both, Lithuania and Australia are good, don’t get me wrong, but there’s no real threat to Team USA on either of their rosters. They have good players, like Lithuania’s Jonas Valancuinas and Donatas Motiejunas and Australia’s Dante Exum, Matthew Dellevadova, and Aron Baynes, but none of those players would come close to making the USA’s roster and should be no problem.
It all comes down to the USA’s ability to avoid complacency and find that chemistry that helps them score when the defense is dug in and ready to make stops. The USA is talented to beat everyone except Spain on talent alone.
Think of it this way: Team USA has eight more tune-up games before they have to get their offense and defensive scheme figured out to play Spain in the final. That’s what the focus should be. There’s no way I can see the USA losing in this tournament before the finals. Spain is the only team who can beat the USA.
Even then, I don’t know if Spain has the players to matchup with the United States on the perimeter. Ricky Rubio can only guard one guy at a time. He can’t stop Curry, Rose, Harden, and Thompson all at the same time. In the same regard, the USA might not be able to stop Ibaka and the Gasol bros.
If the USA can stay out of foul trouble, play their pressure defense, and force turnovers, Spain doesn’t have a chance. If not, it’s going to be a close game.
Spain scares me, I’m not going to lie, but if Team USA plays like they should, with Curry, Rose, Harden, Thompson, and Davis taking most of the shots. There’s no way Spain can stop the USA. Team USA is too good, and these guys have too much pride to come home with anything but the gold.