During the Fiba World Cup, Team USA’s Basketball team has shown out in all of their exhibition and tournament matches. Winning by an average of 27.5 points, they’ve been near unstoppable. Led by star guard/forward Anthony Edwards’s 13.5 ppg and forward Paolo Banchero’s 14.5, they’ve been ripping throughout the competition. Complemented with All-star guard Tyrese Haliburtons offensive production, versatility, and IQ, opposing teams often have a hard time trying to find a defense that even comes close to stopping the freight train that is the USA’s offense.
Equally impressive is Team USA’s defense. Highlighted by NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Junior’s 2.5 stocks (steals and blocks) a game, it’s hard for opposing countries to drive into the paint. Paolo Banchero comes up again however by providing an additional 2 blocks. And armed with defensive wing standouts Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, teams have to try and find as many gaps as they can to get past the well-balanced defense.
Off the bench guard Austin Reaves provides a big boost in scoring with 13.5 points and 6 assists a night. Next to him is All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, providing a veteran presence off the bench. Manning the middle, Bobby Portis provides additional defensive versatility by being able to guard 1-5 and putting up 7 points a night.
Coming into the World Cup, no one doubted the USA’s ability to contend, but few saw this kind of dominance coming. In their exhibition games, it only showed what was to come. Everyone on the team would hit shot after shot. Around the world, people started to realize that the USA wasn’t going to be passed over like we have in previous years. With Team USA set to play on Day 3 of the World Cup on August 30th, we can expect the domination to continue. With perhaps a World Cup run in store, and some even calling it better than the run in 2002 so far.
