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On Wednesday, the NBA announced its preseason schedule. This means that the NBA preseason and regular season is getting closer.
The preseason is a little over a month away, but in the meantime, fans can enjoy basketball through the FIBA World Cup.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 is a special event where the best basketball players from across the globe come together to represent their respective countries. This year's event will be held in China and takes place from 31st August to 15th September. This is a few weeks before the start of the NBA's preseason.
The World Cup is an exciting event, and this year will be no exception. This year, several teams will try to dethrone the winner of the last edition. The World Cup was last held in 2014. Team USA won the event by beating Serbia 129-92.
The United States won their fifth gold medal with their 2014 win. This team featured some of the NBA's best players, as they faced teams of other nations. The team featured players such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and James Harden.
With so many talented players, Team USA's win came as no surprise. This team was different from USA's typical Olympic team, which consists of players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant as well as their 2010 World Cup team. The 2014 World Cup team had some new additions, and they pulled off the win.
This year, Team USA's team has a new look. This team features several players who have never played for the Olympic team or the World Cup team. Players like Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Kevin Love, and James Harden were all in consideration. However, all of them withdrew for their own reasons. Now, Team USA is in an interesting position.
Team USA's roster is being taken lightly by fans and media alike. But they are still the team to beat. Here are three reasons why Team USA can win it all, even without big-name players.
#3 They're young and talented
In basketball, youth can help or hinder you. A young team consists of players that still have room for growth. There may be skills a player needs to improve on, but with experience, they can add them to their repertoire. However, most young players are athletic and have the endurance to play long stretches in games. So, youth can help the US as they go through the tournament.
For Team USA, their oldest player is Brook Lopez. Lopez is 31 years old and has been in the league for 11 years. After Lopez, Team USA's roster features players in their early to late 20s.
The youngest player on USA's roster is Boston Celtics' forward Jayson Tatum. Tatum is a good player, who has a chance to become the Celtics' go-to guy. As he approaches his third season, Tatum has a chance to become even better (and grow into a bigger role).
Team USA consists of several young players, who like Tatum, have exceptional talent. If they combine their potential with their youth and athleticism, Team USA can outrun and outlast other nations.
#2 They're motivated
The USA World Cup team has become somewhat of a laughing stock. The media is not taking this team seriously. With so many players withdrawing, people are underestimating this year's team. If this does not motivate them, I don't know what will.
While Team USA is young and inexperienced, they have a number of vets that will help guide them. Veterans like Kemba Walker, Brook Lopez, and Harrison Barnes will likely contribute to the team in different ways. Walker is a scoring machine and can step up at any time the team needs him. If the young players need a leader, Walker can take that role.
If Barnes and Lopez do not contribute much of offense, they can contribute in other areas such as mentorship. The addition of veterans gives a mostly young USA team balance. That way, Team USA does not have to rely on one or the other (veterans or young players). Instead, they can work together.
Team USA has its number of skeptics, but some people think they will use that as motivation. Marc Gasol, a member of Spain's FIBA team, recently spoke about USA after his team suffered a loss. USA beat Spain 90-81 in an exhibition game. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Gasol said the skeptics will motivate USA.
“I’m sure that it’s going to fuel them,” Gasol said.
Gasol also spoke highly of the team and the amount of talent the US generates every year.
“The amount of talent that the U.S. generates every year is unbelievable," Gasol mentioned.
He said that even with the players that dropped out, Team USA is exceptionally talented physically. He also said they are well-coached. Gasol finished by saying that putting this all together (their talent and coaching) makes for a good team.
Whether or not Team USA admits it publically, they are on a mission. They hear all the talk, criticism, and skepticism, and want to prove everyone wrong. If they play well, they can do just that.
#1 Gregg Popovich is their head coach
Team USA also has another advantage. They have a legendary coach to guide them through the tournament. This year, Gregg Popovich will be coaching the World Cup team. Popovich is the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and has been with them since 1996.
Throughout the years, Popovich has coached the Spurs to the playoffs and multiple championships. He became head coach after firing Spurs coach Bob Hill and naming himself head coach. Popovich was the general manager and vice president of basketball operations of the Spurs before stepping into the head coach position.
The Spurs missed the playoffs in 1996-97 (the season he fired Hill and took over) but have always been in the playoffs ever since. Their streak stands at 23 years. Regardless of how long they last (be it the first round or the NBA Finals), Popovich and the Spurs find a way to get into the playoffs.
Popovich is a five-time NBA champion and three-time Coach of the Year. He won championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. Pop also became the winningest coach in NBA history back in April. He won 1,413 games (regular season and playoff), surpassing Lenny Wilkens, who had 1,412.
Popovich is a great basketball mind with years of experience. He is the ideal coach for Team USA and its young players. Popovich can be strict when necessary but typically has a quiet and sometimes sarcastic demeanor. His coaching style and personality meshed with players such as Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker who all won championships under Pop. His style also worked for a young Kawhi Leonard, who eventually went on to join the Raptors (and then the Clippers). So, he's coached great players and led them to success.
Gregg Popovich is a coaching legend. Team USA's players will benefit from his teaching and will not only develop their games for the World Cup but the upcoming season. It is a win-win situation for them.
Regardless of how Team USA does, one thing is for sure. Popovich will coach them till the end. It does not matter if they win the gold medal or not; he will treat them like his Spurs.
All in all, you cannot go wrong with Pop, and Team USA should play well under him.
Guess the Lakers players!
