Since 1992, Team USA has been nothing short of dominant, winning six Olympic gold medals and three gold medals in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) tournaments.
Ever since, the United States has been the heart of basketball in the world. Even when Team USA lost in the 2004 Olympics and 2006 FIBA world championships, the world knew it was not because of lack of talent.
When you think Olympic/FIBA basketball, most fans associate it with U.S dominance.
However, on Sept. 11, 2019, USA would lose to France by a convincing 10 points.
This loss eliminated them from medal contention and put them at a shocking 7th-place finish in the FIBA tournament, which would be the second lowest U.S basketball has ever finished. Many critics have already claimed that the U.S is no longer the team to beat in international competition.
Others say that the rest of the world is catching up. Despite this huge upset, I am here to tell you that America’s days of dominating basketball are not over. For more than a few reasons, I believe we will gain this title back in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
To begin with, the USA saw a lot of its own stars missing from the competition. Including stars such as James Harden, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry and many more who declined their invitation.
Both Harden and Curry would instantly help in the shooting department as the US ranked just 13th in the tournament as far as field goal percentage. Reports have claimed that Curry and Lillard have made plans to compete in Tokyo. Someone such as Davis was needed as well. U.S needed size as they got out-rebounded several times throughout the tournament, including the elimination game versus France.
With this being said, Team USA will make sure to have more talented players compete come the 2020 Olympics.
Not only will having these players compete fix these problems, it can make defeating the U.S way more difficult. Furthermore, Team USA will be hungrier than ever to regain the title of the best country for basketball. With critics saying the U.S is not the best country, this will only motivate them. Former NBA champion Paul Pierce went on the record calling out team USA.
“The United States should automatically medal every year,” Pierce said.
Kobe Bryant, another former NBA-champion, did not share Pierce’s judgment.
“It is no longer automatically gold for Team USA anymore,” the former Los Angeles Laker said.
Statements such as these will bring out the competitive side of NBA players and make the talented players who declined to take part in earning the title of the “Greatest basketball team” in the world back.
