Team USA entered the World Cup with a sensible bet – that they could overcome their size differential with other attributes. However, this bet proved to be a failure as Germany, another European team towering over the Americans, used this advantage to secure a 113-111 victory in the world semifinals. This defeat denies Team USA a shot at gold for the second consecutive time, forcing them to settle for playing for bronze against Canada. The shortcomings of Team USA’s size disadvantage were evident throughout the game, and it ultimately cost them the match.
Size Matters
The Germans capitalized on their size advantage by dominating the boards, pulling down 12 offensive rebounds and converting them into 25 second-chance points. In contrast, Team USA struggled with their smaller lineup, managing only eight second-chance points. The disparity in rebounding and physicality proved to be a significant factor in Germany’s victory.
The German team’s efficiency was another key factor in their triumph. Point guard Dennis Schroder, with his passing and ball-handling skills, exploited Team USA’s ball pressure and combined it with the German height advantage to generate high-percentage looks. This combination proved to be insurmountable for the Americans. Germany’s ability to capitalize on mismatches created by switching on screen-and-rolls allowed them to take advantage of open shots from the outside. They converted an impressive 13 of 30 three-pointers, shooting at a sizzling 58% overall, and accumulating 50 points in the paint. This offensive prowess ultimately overwhelmed Team USA’s defense.
Margin for Error
Team USA’s alignment, opting to play small throughout the tournament, proved to be a risky move. Starting with Josh Hart at power forward and Jaren Jackson Jr. at center, the team lacked a true presence in the paint. This decision proved to have limited success against opponents with size advantages, including Germany. While this alignment can be effective under certain circumstances, it relies heavily on an aggressive and fast-break-generating defense. Unfortunately, the margin for error was too small, and even with a favorable draw, Team USA couldn’t mitigate their size disadvantage.
Adding to Team USA’s challenges, they had to play without Brandon Ingram, who missed the game due to an upper respiratory illness. This absence in the roster due to injury or illness was the first for the team in the tournament. Ingram’s absence weakened an already struggling defense, making it more difficult for Team USA to counter Germany’s size advantage effectively.
In the end, Team USA’s bet on overcoming their size differential proved to be an ill-fated decision. The Germans capitalized on their advantage, dominating the boards and converting second-chance points. Moreover, their efficiency from beyond the arc and in the paint proved to be too much for Team USA to overcome. While the American team played with spirit and aggression, their lack of size became a recurring issue that ultimately led to their defeat. The defeat in the semifinals marks the second consecutive time that Team USA will settle for playing for bronze, a disappointment for a team with a rich basketball legacy. It highlights the need for careful consideration of potential weaknesses and adjustments in future tournaments to improve their chances of reclaiming gold.
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