Although Team USA is heavily favored to bring home the gold medal in the Paris Olympics basketball tournament, renowned sports commentator Chris "Mad Dog" Russo expressed skepticism regarding their chances of coming out on top in light of their recent struggles to pull off victories over unheralded South Sudan and Germany.
Had it not been for the late-game heroics of LeBron James, the media would have been abuzz with talk of the red flags raised by those exhibition games. But as Russo pointed out, James' brilliance in crunchtime can only do so much to mask the glaring issues Team USA faces heading into the Olympics.
Missing KD
The latest iteration of the U.S. men's basketball team is loaded with superstars. From iconic hoop legends like LeBron and Steph Curry to an MVP winner like Joel Embiid to multiple-time All-NBA selections like Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, and Jayson Tatum, this squad has more than enough to capture the gold medal. However, there has been talk that Kevin Durant's absence was a critical factor in their recent struggles. Mad Dog, though, isn't buying this argument.
"If they need KD to win the gold medal with all those stars, we're in big trouble. And I'm not knocking KD, but let's be honest: Embiid, LeBron, Curry, Booker, Anthony Davis, and Jason Tatum should be enough," Russo said on "First Take."
Russo's point is valid. While KD's presence on the court undoubtedly adds another potent weapon to Team USA, the team is still brimming with elite talent. This talent should be more than capable of winning games even without KD.
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Instead of attributing the near-loss to KD's absence, Russo underlined the urgent need for Team USA to tighten up their defense. South Sudan and Germany exploited their weak perimeter defense with a barrage of three-pointers—a strategy often used by elite international teams due to the shorter FIBA three-point line.
"How about giving up 100 points to South Sudan?" Mad Dog emphasized. "They gave up 100 points in a 40-minute game, not a 48-minute game. That means they would have given up even more in a full-length game. That's ridiculous. Show up and play a little defense, please."
Adapting to different roles
Steve Kerr and his staff must address a more pressing issue: the team's lack of chemistry. As is always the case regarding loaded teams, players have difficulty adjusting to lesser roles after spending their entire careers being the primary offensive option on their respective teams.
"Maybe they have too many good players and don't know their roles. All these guys are huge stars in America, and to get on this team, they have to sort of circumvent their game. They have to play together and figure out how to handle that. Maybe that's part of it. Booker looks a little lost," Chris remarked.
"LeBron has bailed them out, no question about it. He's been great, but we should not be in a death struggle in England, in front of a packed house with lots of enthusiasm, to beat Germany. That should not be happening," he added.
Russo is confident that Team USA is capable of more. With or without KD, the Americans possess the firepower and defensive prowess to overcome any team. As the crucial games begin this Sunday, it's time for the team to discover its identity and play like the dominant force they are.
Related: LeBron James after Team USA barely beat South Sudan in an exhibition game: "I like those ones better than the blowouts"
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