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#3 Size will be a problem
The biggest problem expected to hold Team USA back at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is size. It was suggested prior to their training camp and is still being highlighted now. But more importantly, it is visible on the court.
Their roster was put together with scoring and versatility on defense in mind at the expense of size in the paint. The Aussies continuously threw passes inside to those making cuts or with a favorable matchup and outscored the US by 44-24 in the paint.
Against physically commanding bigs such as Rudy Gobert for France, Team USA are going to struggle to dominate the boards and gain second-chance points for themselves.
With Bam Adebayo being the only true center chosen to represent Team USA, we could see several small-ball lineups with Kevin Love at the five along with Durant on the floor. However, they are going to have to make some adjustments as soon as possible after conceding 46 rebounds against Nigeria and grabbing just 34 of their own.
#4 Average performances won't be enough
There was once a time when Team USA could put in bang average performances and get away with it knowing that they would surely outscore their opponents eventually and could force them into tough looks on defense. Since NBA players were allowed to represent the US in 1992, they have lost just three times in seven Olympic appearances.
However, there is a growing trend that those days are at an end. As Lillard alluded to post-game after the loss to Australia, some of the sides competing in Tokyo could have a full starting five of NBA talents.
When they face France in their group, Team USA will have to put up with the league's Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, LA Clippers sharpshooter Nicolas Batum and Boston Celtics starting guard Evan Fournier.
All of a sudden they are playing teammates or opponents who know how they play inside out. Therefore, resting on their laurels and hoping they can get the job done simply won't be good enough for the US this summer, as proven in these exhibition games.
#5 There needs to be consistency on defense
Despite putting together a roster with defense in mind, Team USA's defense so far in the opening two exhibition games has been patchy. In their opener against Nigeria, they allowed their opponent's to make twenty three-point shots. Although they then tightened up their perimeter defense against the Aussies, allowing just ten made efforts, their defense in the paint was instead exposed.
With some players showing a lack of stamina in the closing minutes of these games, it could be hard for Popovich to put his ideal five out to get defensive stops in crunch time. At the moment, they don't seem to have a lineup that can limit their opponent 1-through-5 and so they have chosen instead to try and outscore them.
Ideally, Draymond Green would be the anchor of Team USA's defense, with Adebayo in the paint, Tatum and Durant on the wings and Lillard at the point. After their struggles so far, though, we could see some variation in the side's setup against stiff opposition.
