- Social media is buzzing after Team USA gets eliminated by Germany
- Team USA continues its downfall after disappointing finish
- Team USA being pressured to make changes amid obvious roster flaws
Entering Friday’s Semi-final match against Germany, Team USA was still enjoying a boost of confidence that came from their impressive bounce-back game against Italy. Besides their shocking and disappointing loss to Lithuania last week, tainting their perfect record, Team USA has had a pretty solid showing in the tournament this year and it’s clear that fan expectations have not changed in the slightest.
So when Germany walked away with the 113-111 win on Friday and handed Team USA their second loss in this year’s World Cup, it was the last straw for many fans, who expressed their shock and outrage on social media.
Wow! Team USA loses in the Semis!
What an upset! This INTERNATIONAL story surely takes precedence on all sports TV shows (particularly, @FTFonFS1!) today and becomes the lead topic!
No reason to discuss anything that happened in the NFL last night! Old news!!!
— nick wright (@getnickwright) September 8, 2023
Too little, too late by USA. Germany was the better, balanced team and that 3rd Q was huge. That’s a wrap.
Tough 113-111 loss. Mikal Bridges finished with 17 points (6-7 shooting). Edwards 23. Germany had three players that scored 21+
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) September 8, 2023
Embarrassing from Team USA. Too much Brunson and not enough Reaves. Reaves scores 11 after Brunson exits in the 4th. No reason you don’t let one of your top 2 players run the offense in the 4th. They deserve the L
— Matt (@SportsMatt12) September 8, 2023
For most of the game, things were actually pretty close, and by halftime, the game was still completely up for grabs with a 60-59 score in favor of Team USA.
Things started going the other way in the third, however, when Germany went on a 6-0 run fueled by Franz Wagner, who finished the game with 22 total points. While Wagner is capable of torching any team, he hasn’t been the only player to have his way with Team USA this summer, and fans couldn’t help but point out the glaring flaws with the roster this year.
haven’t watched much team usa but when I have it has felt like scoring is a chore
— Ben Cox (@CoxSportsOhio) September 8, 2023
if you can bully and outrebound this team USA team in the paint, you got a shot.
germany got 25 second chance points.
— Brandon Caldwell (@_brandoc) September 8, 2023
Tf is up with Team USA?!
I knew I didn’t like that team…
— Coach Peeps🍀✨💍 (@Peeps_a_fool) September 8, 2023
Austin Reaves was almost the hero of the night, with 21 points off the bench. Despite an aggressive play style from Anthony Edwards early on, who finished with a team-high 23, it was Mikal Bridges who kept Team USA in the game in the second half with 17 points heading into the fourth quarter. By then, however, things were already spinning out of control.
With six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Germany built a 10-point lead over the US, and it seemed like nobody had an answer for the trio of Franz Wagner, Daniel Theis, and Andreas Obst, who combined for over 64 points. Meanwhile, for the Americans, Anthony Edwards was somehow the leading rebounder with a total of eight. Steve Kerr had his guys fighting until the end, but it wasn’t good enough to get the win, and the game was over with a score of 113-111 in favor of Germany.
What Is The Problem For Team USA?
Team USA signed a mix of talent this year, ranging from alpha-dog shot creator Anthony Edwards to “expert” two-way wing Josh Hart. What they don’t have, however, is a truly dominant interior force. With the exception of Bobby Portis and Jaren Jackson Jr., who combined for just 26 minutes against Germany, Team USA doesn’t have any size, and it’s why we’re seeing opposing teams dominate the paint time and time again.
They also lack playmakers, which is why the offense can sometimes struggle to find good shots. Other than Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton, no other player on Team USA had more than three assists against Germany.
No matter what else happens in the World Cup this year, Team USA will have to address these problems if they want to stay on top of the international basketball scene. Sadly, with players like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic off the table for Team USA, they will have to get creative in who they add to the fold, but there is no hiding the concern fans are feeling for the future of Team USA as a whole.
The Future Is Uncertain For USA Basketball
It’s hard not to look at this and wonder if Team USA is losing its power. For years, we’ve been accustomed to watching them dominate the field, but lately, it’s been harder and harder to maintain that level of dominance.
Now, the US is out of the tournament entirely with nothing to show for their efforts except a few impressive wins. No doubt, this will be a tough few months for the fans and the players as they come to grips with the disappointing finish, but this is hardly the end for Team USA.
In fact, some believe this year’s elimination could spark a return to form in the Olympics in 2024 and beyond. The world did not get to see Team USA at its best this year but if players like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, or Jayson Tatum decide to participate, it could be bad news for the rest of the world.
For now, however, Team USA will have to wait and lick their wounds as they look on to see who will take their place at the top of the basketball world.
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