Anthony Edwards Put America On His Back And Carried Team USA To A Massive Comeback Win Against Germany
Juan Ocampo. Getty Images.
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Through the first 3 tune-up games leading up to Friday's FIBA World Cup, Team USA hadn't really been tested. Spain tried to keep things close and only lost by 10, but outside of that, every win had been by 20+. It may be the B Team, but Team USA was running through everyone. We hadn't really seen how they would respond to getting punched in the mouth first. What would they do in a situation where they had to dig out of a hole? What lineup choices would Steve Kerr make if a certain group was thriving and it maybe wasn't the starters during a comeback?
Well, in today's final tune up game against Germany, we got answers to all of those questions. While they aren't expected to medal during the tourament, there are legit NBA players on Germany like Dennis Schroder, Franz and Mo Wanger, and Daniel Theis. They proved right away that they weren't going to just roll over against Team USA, and for the first time we actually saw someone give the US a legit test. Tied after the 1st quarter, Germany was able to build an 8 point lead by halftime, and they did that mostly because Team USA couldn't get a stop to save their lives.
Schroder was getting to the rim with ease, Germany was making 3s, and worst of all they were crushing Team USA on the offensive glass/2nd chance points. No matter wht Team USA tried, Germany had an answer every time. Things didn't really change in the 3rd quarter with Germany expanding their lead to as much as 16, and we finally got to see what Team USA would do when they were on the ropes. Would they dig down and get stops in order to claw back into the game?
Yes. And then some. The trio of Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Austin Reaves essentially brought them back from the dead and it was glorious to watch.
If you've been paying attention to the previous games, you knew that Anthony Edwards has been the best player for Team USA and is someone who looks absolutely poised for a monster season. Today was no different, as he carried Team USA with 34 of their 99 points on 11-21 (4-8) shooting and a perfect 8-8 from the line
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Edwards completely took over and then some. Watching him bring Team USA back in the way he did was incredible. We were witnessing a player in one of those "zones" where everything he throws up doesn't even think about not going in. Those threes to bring them back were as pure as it gets. We probably should have had an idea a performance like this was coming considering this is how Ant started the game
Everything we've seen from Edwards so far leading up to the World Cup tells us Team USA has to continue to play through him offensively. He's the #1 guy as far as I'm concerned. He needs to be taking the most shots, he needs to be on the floor in all the big moments, he's clearly the best player on the roster right now.
But something we also may have learned is that Tyrese Haliburton is their best point guard as well
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When Haliburton came back into the game to close the 3rd quarter and Team USA went on that 18-3 run, it was his offense that drove most of it. Every time he seems to be on the floor good things happen, and I know Steve Kerr has given the starting spot to Jalen Brunson, but I'm not so sure that's our best lineup if Haliburton is going to play like this. I think even Kerr know this given that Ingram/Brunson watched much of the end of this game on the bench in favor of the Reaves/Ant/Hali trio, and at the very least if Kerr isn't going to start Haliburton he should definitely close with him. The size and shotmaking combined with his playmaking ability is perfect.
If Brunson isn't going to be able to defend at an acceptable level, I see no reason why Haliburton shouldn't get more minutes.
The same is true for Reaves as well. Another one of those combo wings who can initiate offense and get you buckets, all while holding his own defensively. His 16 points on 5-9 shooting were just as huge as Haliburton's off the bench, and his steals late are what effectively sealed the comeback.
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It's no surprise that once Team USA got back to locking in defensively, with JJJ blocking everything in sight and Team USA limiting offensive rebounds, they eventually took this game over. Defense is what sparks transition which is what gives teams confidence, and when it came time for someone to make that back breaking, lead changing 3PM, Mikal Bridges delivered
Team USA closed on a 10-5 run from that moment on over the final 2 minutes and that was it. A perfect 4-0 in the fake warm up games, this time with a very impressive 16 point comeback. While on one hand, you could make the case that Team USA should never have been in that position, you could also make the case it's a great experience for this young group to go through something like this before the real tournament starts. At least now they have a comeback like this under their belt so they may not panic if it happens during the real thing. There's value in that.
At the same time, you can't bank on it. Having this idea that you're always going to come back no matter what just because you're Team USA is how you get your ass kicked. Just ask the 2019 FIBA team. So while it was nice to see they are capable, I'd prefer they don't make a showing like today a habit.
Oh, and made you goddamn FTs. Going 18-26 is brutal, especially with Paolo Banchero going 0-4 by himself. That was bad. But everything else? I'll take it. Now just rest up and be ready to roll on Saturday for when the games actually count.