Team USA Cannot Stop Kicking The Rest Of The World's Ass, This Time They Blow Out Greece To Stay Undefeated
GIUSEPPE CACACE. Getty Images.
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For a Team USA roster that had 0 collective international games under their belt, they sure do seem to be adjusting quite nicely in these FIBA World Cup tune up games. I'm not really a huge math guy, but 4-0 seems pretty good. In fact, it's literally impossible to be better. Outside of a little bit of a test of Spain, Team USA has legitimately been kicking the shit out of everyone they've faced so far
Game 1 vs Puerto Rico: 43 point win
Game 2 vs Slovenia: 30 point win
Game 3 vs Spain: 10 point win
Game 4 vs Greece: 22 point win
Now of course I should mention that Luka Doncic didn't play in the Slovenia game and Giannis has opted out of the World Cup so he wasn't there today for Greece, but I also don't give a shit. That's their problem, not ours. It's not like Team USA is filled with our best players so I reject that excuse for other countries. Be better.
While these games are technically fake, it does have me excited for the start of the real thing a week from today. With every game we see Team USA play it becomes more and more evident how balanced they are. In today's win, they had 6 players in double figures, led by Anthony Edwards who is continuing to show that he may be in store for a breakout season. He was awesome
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He's simply too big, too fast, and too strong for the rest of the world it seems. He knows he's there for one reason and one reason only, and that's to get buckets
Just like in the previous tune up games, Ant took over in the 3rd quarter with 12 points, and this thing was a wrap. In fact, Team USA never trailed and owned the lead for 39:38 of action. There was 1 lead change and Team USA never looked back. Their shooting continues to be impressive and honestly a little surprising, coming in at 57/42% splits. Every game so far Team USA has been able to light it up from deep, and that's something that the 2019 FIBA team definitely struggled with.
Of course, it's not all just Edwards. Like I said, there's legit balance on this roster. If you touched the floor, chances were you did some awesome shit
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I think it's fair to say that these are the types of performances we should expect when it comes to Team USA, even with all their inexperience. But as we know, when we don't send the A Team to the FIBA World Cup, things get dicey. That's the challenge for this group, can they avenge the worst showing in Team USA history that we saw in 2019? Based on these tune up games, I think they look up to the challenge. Their defense is legit, their length and athleticism seem to be a problem, and if this shooting holds up they shouldn't have too much to worry about.
The thing to remember of course is once the real games start, not only will the stars who are still participating actually play (like Luka), but teams will obviously try harder. Nobody is trying to blow their load in these tune up games, which is why seeing Team USA win by blowouts in 3 of the 4 games is a good sign. This definitely isn't them playing at their ceiling, which is exciting.
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Take care of business on Sunday against Germany and then rest up for the real thing so you can send yet another reminder that when it comes to basketball, Team USA is still king.