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Written by: Sohu Sports/Sheng Zhe
117-74, the U.S. men's basketball team defeated Puerto Rico.
The dream team, which has been underrated since its inception, kicked off the warm-up match ahead of the World Cup with a big win. Prior to this match, the authentic national team had lost two consecutive games to the sparring team led by Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Green. Lack of appetite for stars + rolling losses seems to make these pessimists more determined.
What is the quality of this American men's basketball team?
Let's take a look at Team USA's lineup:
Defenders: Jaylen Bronson, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Austin Reeves;
Flanch: Brandon Ingram, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Josh Hart;
Promoters: Jaren Jackson Jr., Bobby Portis, Paul Banchero, Walker Kessler.
Only 3 of those 12 were selected for the 2022-23 All-Star season, namely Edwards, Halliburton and JJJ; No one was named to the All-NBA team last season; No one is an active Top 20 star; There aren't many people who can be the absolute top of the team.
There's no doubt that this American men's basketball team is far from a thing of the past when it comes to stardom.
Regardless of the two super dream teams of Kobe, James Durant and others in 2008 and 2012, even in the dismal 2019, Tatum Mitchell and others barely covered the bottom line. This year's Team USA is definitely the most civilized dream team in a long time, and it is not even a "dream team".
But the lack of top stars does not mean weakness.
First of all, we need to be clear that the statement that "Team America is mediocre" is just a statement in a specific context, or just a comparison with ourselves. It is an indisputable fact that the United States has limited star-making capabilities. Witnessing the spectacular scenes of Kobe/James/Durant/Anthony at the same time is extremely difficult.
In 2011-12, the NBA regular season all-season team was: Paul/Kobe/James/Durant/Howard. They are all from the United States and both represent the national team in the World Series.
In 2022-23, the NBA regular season best team is: Slovenia's Doncic, Greece's Alphabet Brother, Canada's Alexander, France's (Cameroon) Embiid and America's Tower. Turn. This does not include the last two years of consecutive MVPs, new FMVPs, and teachers from Serbia.
As James Curry and Durant's generation ages, the NBA is gradually dominated by international players, and the United States lacks truly dominant superstars. This is also an important reason for the decline in their dominance on the international stage in recent years. But then again, even on average, they're still Team USA and the only team in the world with 12 NBA players. They come from the top league in the world, where there is talent, ability, a bottom line.
Head coach Steve Kerr gradually determined the starting lineup through training and preseason: Bronson/Edwards/Ingram/Bridges/JJJ. Gradually, the structure of the team became clear: Bronson Halliburton directed; Edwards and Ingram are absolute top-notch, attacking workhorses; The rest of the strikers do their part, focusing on defense and shooting;
Judging by the game, the absence of the superstar seems to be an advantage for this American team.
Against Puerto Rico, the U.S. men's basketball team had 66 rebounds, 29 assists, 10 steals and 10 blocks. 35 opponents took only the rebound. All 11 players scored and scored, and as many as 7 players on the team collected more than 8 shots, and 7 players scored double-doubles, but their personal highs were only 15 points (Edwards, Johnson).
The perception of the game was that there were no absolute superstars, and everyone shared the ball wisely, selflessly created opportunities for their teammates, and fully practiced Cole's team basketball philosophy.
The defensive end is even brighter. If you watch the game or the highlights carefully, you will see a lot of scenes like this: counter-stealing after scoring a goal, high-pressure defense throughout the game, layup blocking, and a few people grabbing it. Rebound...... These are a few signals revealed by this American team: the so-called "civilians" are reflected in the lack of "framework", and everyone is desperately defending and does not flinch. In the third quarter of yesterday's game, the score was opened in a wave of 30-4, that is, through high-pressure continuous defense + counterattack, which is a typical American style of play.
As we all know, no matter which American team, the three trump cards are the same: defense, counterattack, three-pointers.
This year's U.S. team, 9 of the 12 players are over 196 tall, have height on the inside, and have a large number of 2m+ arm-length forwards on both wings. The size and athleticism of the entire squad are very balanced and excellent.
It's their talent and a core set of defense. The average age of the entire team was only 24.5 years.
In addition, seven of the 12 players averaged more than 18 points per game last season, six of whom scored more than 20 points, and all but Kessler shot more than 36 percent from three-point range. They can score and have a shooting range.
On offense, Cole emphasized space and sharing the ball. He usually only puts one inside player on the field. At the extreme, he even demoted Bancher to fifth. If you look at the regular season rotation (minus 11th and 12th, Kessler and Hart), everyone has 3-point range. This means that the U.S. team guarantees one guard + three strikers + one interior lineman and even one guard + four forwards for most of the game. After the defender blocked it, the position gradually blurred. Anyone can control the ball. In terms of shooting, the outside line looks for the best offensive opportunities by dribbling and roundabouts; The defensive end can also achieve unlimited defense, covering the court as much as possible. This very modern set is really in line with the trend of the times.
After the official group photo of the US men's basketball team was released, many people ridiculed this year's coaching staff as larger than the players.
It is precisely because of this that this group of seemingly "ordinary" young players can resolutely implement the intentions of the coaching staff, fight desperately and defend desperately. Sometimes attitude is more important than competence at this level.
It must be added that this year's world competition environment is not as wild as the World Championships in China and the Tokyo Olympics. Missing Jokic, Alphabet Brother, Rubio, Embiid, Sabonis Jr. As well as other top players from around the world, even Doncic lacks Chansell and Dragic. The pressure on Team USA in the world has been greatly reduced.
With multiple internal and external factors superimposed, we seem to be optimistic about the competitiveness of this American team.
But of course, Team America is not invulnerable.
As we said earlier, this U.S. team is missing a top star, which will lead them to have no finishers in key moments. In the past, Kobe, Durant, and Anthony were all able to step up at key moments. Their technique, mentality, game reading, and talent are among the best in the world. But now, by all accounts, they don't have people like that, Edwards doesn't, and Ingram doesn't have either. Their ability to strike at the most critical moments is indeed yet to be tested.
In addition, the average age of this American team is only 24.5 years old, and no one has national game experience, which is relatively lacking.
In difficult situations, especially in the face of problems of European teams, the ability to solve problems had to be questioned.
Being young is a double-edged sword.
The composition is also worth mentioning. Coach Cole needed an interior lineman who could pass the ball in his fluid system, which this U.S. team didn't.
Whether it is the team's warm-up game or the game against Puerto Rico, the inside of the American team is still relatively weak. Neither Portis nor Banchero is a pure fifth, and Kessler doesn't seem to have earned Kerr's trust yet, meaning that Jaren Jackson Jr. himself is the real insider. But we all know JJJ's gaming habits. He is not in the number five position and has limited ability to control fouls. He averaged 3.6 fouls per game last season, ranking first in the league. So when you face tough insiders in Europe, can you resist? Can you control the foul and stay on the court? This is a key part of the fate of Team USA. If little Jaylen. If you do not adapt to the FIBA system or encounter unpleasant problems, I am afraid it will be more difficult to continue. For Team USA, defense is the basic set and three-point is the lifeline.
Against Puerto Rico, the first half was in a protracted situation, precisely because the three-point shot was not empty and no one shot.
In the second half, the counterattack and three-point shot opened the scoring record. In yesterday's game, the United States shot 6-of-27 from three-point range, even one less than Puerto Rico. It can be said that it is relatively bleak.
As we mentioned earlier, almost everyone on this team has three-pointers and shoots, but it's the ability to withstand the real tough battle is the key.
Cole put Bronson ahead of Halliburton in the starting guards. But we came up with a reasonable idea. Bronson's pace and style of play are slower, and the three-point shot is not the main weapon, more singles and mid-range possession. But with Edwards and Ingram already in possession in the starting line-up, the ball began to tighten a bit.
Will Kerr consider adding Halliburton to the starter in subsequent games with more consistent three-point shooting and more off-the-ball points, forcing Bronson to play tandem as the microwave's sixth-man backup? What about chaos?
In short, whether this American team can do it depends on the game to verify. But at least for now they are doing well, at least compared to the 2019 feeder they are still one of the favourites to win this year's World Cup.
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