- Arenas calls this year’s FIBA team “F-tier”
- Arenas says only one player from the 12-man roster is a top 12 player
- Team USA is suffering from a lack of superstar participation
Former All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas is not a big fan of this year’s Team USA roster. While it admittedly lacks some of the biggest names, most would agree that it’s still a solid group with guys like Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, Anthony Edwards, and Jalen Brunson.
For Arenas, however, this group is weak compared to some of the teams we’ve seen in past years. Speaking on his podcast, he actually just recently doubled down on his disapproval of this year’s version of Team USA.
“As a group, this is an F-tier list. Compared to all the players in the NBA? Jimmy Butler and Jaylen Brown, that would be considered a C-group. This is an F group compared to what we have. When your grading, ‘alright, pick the best 12 [players in the NBA]’… This [Team USA squad] is the 5th [set of 12 players]. Only Anthony Edwards would be out of this group.”
LOOK AT ALL THE PLAYERS WE HAVE IN THE NBA!
TELL ME THIS IS THE BEST TEAM USA SQUAD THEY COULD PUT TOGETHER. pic.twitter.com/HEEZLq0vbn
— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) August 8, 2023
While this is far from the best roster we’ve seen, to call it an F borders on disrespect to these players, who are still better than 75% of the NBA. Besides the five starts named above, this year’s World Cup team also features Tyrese Haliburton, Cameron Johnson, Paolo Banchero, Walker Kesller, and Austin Reaves, among others.
Can Team USA Bring Home The Trophy?
When fans think of the World Cup, they want to see the best of the best compete on the world stage, but it’s not always an easy thing to do. Committing to Team USA means giving up a huge chunk of your offseason to put additional wear and tear on your body.
That could be why participation is rapidly falling among the top All-Stars.
“You see that list he [Steve Kerr] got? A sorry-ass group,” Arenas said to EuroHoops. “Listen, I’m happy for the people who make it. It’s cool. It’s cool for some of the guys who got there that I don’t know. Some of them probably don’t even start on their team.”
At this point, there’s no changing the rosters this year, but there’s still a chance for Team USA to silence Arenas (and the test of the haters) this summer. If they can play up to their potential and take him the victory, it will prove that even an “F tier” roster can get the job done.
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