FIBA World Cup 2019: 3 Reasons why Team USA could endure an embarrassing campaign

As has become apparent from multiple withdrawals by respected NBA names leading up to the FIBA World Cup, Team USA will not be fielding their best roster on the floor when the tournament tips off in China on Aug. 31. Prominent NBA names such as James Harden, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Tobias Harris, Bradley Beal, C.J. McCollum, DeMar DeRozan, and Eric Gordon have each withdrawn from the training camp roster.

In the backdrop of Team USA's illustrious history in international events, Coach Popovich might be ironically heading a group of newbies through the biggest global basketball event aside from the Olympics. Moreover, their recent loss to Australia in an exhibition game highlighted the squad's weaknesses down the stretch.

The team led by Kemba Walker and including explosive talents in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell and recent All-Star Khris Middleton faces a mighty task ahead of them. Therefore, let's analyze the fairly palpable possibility of an embarrassing letdown.

#1 The glaring dearth of international playing experience on the roster

Team USA has played four exhibition games so far

When Carmelo Anthony - USA's leading scorer - reached out to the Team USA camp, they decided not to onboard him, giving clear signs of the front office's inclination towards the youth in hopes of a promising future for the country. Most of the leading talents on the team are in their early twenties with little to no prior experience playing in the international domain.

USA coasted past Spain in their first exhibition game and then flew all the way to Australia for a couple of tune-up games against the Boomers. They beat the hosts 102-86 in their first game at Marvel Stadium before falling 98-94 in the second clash with the same team, in what was a shocking loss for the basketball world.

“You got to react to a loss,” said USA head coach Gregg Popovich. “You react to a win. You can’t take a win for granted. But, I think that it was a great learning situation for us, just about playing FIBA basketball – the physicality, the rules, how it’s played, how it’s refereed. All those sorts of things. So, it was a great learning experience to have those two games against a very good team.”

Even though they bounced back to obliterate an understaffed Canadian side in their fourth and final tune-up game, it seemed like the team was in dire need of more overseas playing experience than what could be accommodated in a brief schedule before 31st.

#2 Owing to the quality competition, USA's campaign would be far from a cakewalk

Giannis is hell-bent on getting gold for his country

Suiting up for Greece, the Antetokounmpo brothers lead the pack of a good bunch of contenders able enough of sabotaging Team USA's World Cup bid. Clips of Giannis blasting through defenses of oppositions in the exhibition games have already made rounds across the internet. Although the reward, in this situation, doesn’t outweigh the risk - the reigning NBA MVP doesn't seem to be backing down.

Moreover, World No. 2 Spain is aided by Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, and Willy Hernangomez while Serbia boasts of Nikola Jokic, Milos Teodosic, and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Even though the winner won't be decided by which team's players are better on paper, it does make a strong case for a rough path ahead for the Americans as they adjust to the international style of play.

Therefore, when adversity hits, the chances of a major mid-tournament breakdown are sky-high.

#3 No Olympics means no bragging rights

Team USA has a chance at a three-peat in the Olympics next year

Much of the blame for the huge player fallout has been put on the extensive schedule tipped off by the upcoming FIBA World Cup. From an NBA player's perspective, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics follows right after the ever-so-important NBA season and for players who want to make a mark at the biggest stage, FIBA World Cup appears as nothing more than a glorified exhibition tourney.

The aforementioned notion is meant to hinder the commitment of individuals in China carrying the mindset of competing in the Tokyo Olympics. All things considered, the World Cup games would be nothing short of desperate dogfights and despite the talent pool, the team which wants it the most will come out on top.

The players on the USA roster carry the necessary talent in order to win it all, but their mental approach to all anomalies mentioned above will play a huge factor in rendering the difference between a boom or bust.