Gregg Popovich Takes Exception to Reporter's Question After USA's Loss to Australia
Jul 13, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the USA Men's National Team talks with Draymond Green #14 during the game against the Australia Men's National Team on July 12, 2021 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Gregg Popovich took exception to a question during the postgame press conference following Team USA's 91-83 exhibition loss to Australia on Monday.
The legendary head coach appeared to disagree with the framing of a query about the wide gulf the United States used to have on many countries around the world:
This exchange between Pop and a reporter after USA's loss to Australia 😳
There's no question the landscape has changed since the 1992 Dream Team won by an average of nearly 44 points at the Summer Games.
The quality of competition has risen in part because the NBA was so aggressive in growing the game internationally. The United States typically doesn't send its strongest possible squad, either, with some top names inevitably sitting out.
To Popovich's point, at the 2016 Olympics, Team USA won its group-stage games against Serbia and France by three points apiece. Only six points separated the U.S. and Spain in the semifinals. The United States did, however, blow out Argentina by 27 in the quarterfinals and beat Serbia by 30 in their championship rematch.
The 2019 FIBA World Cup was another reminder of how much the gap has closed on Team USA as it finished in seventh place after losing to France in the quarterfinals.
But that still doesn't totally explain how the United States could drop back-to-back exhibitions on the road to Tokyo.
Professionals started playing for Team USA in 1992:
July 21, 1992-July 9, 2021: 10,581 days, 2 exhibition losses
One would think a roster that includes Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Draymond Green and Jayson Tatum is well-positioned to win gold. Nobody in the 2020 Olympics can match the sheer volume of talent on Team USA.
Perhaps falling to Nigeria and Australia is the kind of wake-up call the players will need to see that talent alone doesn't cut it anymore at the highest international level.
Lillard, Team USA Fall to Australia for 2nd Straight Exhibition Loss Before Olympics
Jul 13, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Patty Mills #5 hi-fives Nic Kay #15 of the Australia Men's National Team during the game against the USA Men's National Team on July 12, 2021 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Team USA dropped its second successive game ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, losing 91-83 to Australia in an exhibition Monday.
Many were left stunned when Nigeria took down the U.S. 90-87 on Saturday. It was a potentially foreboding sign in the short and long term while at the same time easy to dismiss as a one-off occurrence.
Now, the alarm bells might begin ringing inside USA Basketball.
The United States owned a nine-point lead at halftime, but Chris Goulding hit a buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter and give Australia a 69-64 lead.
Jayson Tatum put Team USA back ahead 82-80 at the 4:35 mark of the fourth quarter, only for Patty Mills to tie things up again with a pair of free throws. That was emblematic of how the U.S. simply couldn't put Australia away.
Down five points, the United States turned the ball over after a sequence of multiple passes that effectively sealed the result.
The Boomers shot 52.9 percent from the floor and went 10-of-24 from beyond the arc.
Notable Performers
Damian Lillard, United States: 22 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block
Bradley Beal, United States: 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks
Joe Ingles, Australia: 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal
Patty Mills, Australia: 22 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal
Australia Demonstrates Medal Credentials
Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons withdrew from Olympic consideration in June to focus on his individual game this summer. Based on Monday, Australia remains well poised to win its first medal in the Summer Games.
Mills is a free agent this offseason, and the longtime San Antonio Spurs guard might want to wait until after the Olympics to put pen to paper on a new deal:
Australia was a nuisance on defense all game, and a lot of that started with 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle. During a sequence in the fourth quarter, Durant attempted a mid-range jumper, only to have the All-Defensive star leap up for the denial.
The 24-year-old also looks like he'll thrive with a larger role than he's accustomed to having in Philly:
Matisse Thybulle is really good, looks like a star for Australia. Still believe Ben Simmons could have benefited from playing with his teammate and potentially putting his country up as a real competitor against the US
In general, continuity in the international game can go a long way, and that's something opposing countries can use to their advantage over Team USA. Many of Australia's key players aren't strangers to one another:
Chris Goulding, Joe Ingles, and Patty Mills have played together forever.
And John isn’t exaggerating about the “teen years” thing. Mills and Goulding were legit together on the 2007 U19 World Cup roster for Australia. That’s almost 15 years lol. https://t.co/HPlyPY1Udf
The postgame discourse will focus largely on the United States, but it shouldn't obscure how good the Boomers are.
Team USA Facing Tough Challenge in Tokyo
This was another reality check for the United States, perhaps even more so than the result against Nigeria. The U.S. should still be considered the gold medal favorite, but the road to a fourth straight title won't be easy because top contenders such as Australia aren't pushovers.
Team USA struggling in these international competitions isn't shocking anymore - all of the excuses for that repulsive stretch between 2002-06 were regurgitated when America finished 7th in the 2018 World Cup - but it's no less disappointing. The world ain't scared, so go harder.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 13, 2021
The 2004 Olympics was the last time the U.S. failed to capture gold in men's basketball. Beyond being a somewhat odd collection of talent, the squad was a mess behind the scenes.
In the absence of similar off-court drama this time around, a meltdown on that scale probably isn't in order in Tokyo. But head coach Gregg Popovich and his staff clearly have a lot to work on during what's left of Team USA's training camp.
What's Next?
Team USA has three more exhibitions before heading to Tokyo, the next of which comes Tuesday against Argentina.
Nigeria Stuns Kevin Durant, Team USA 90-87 in Exhibition Before 2021 Tokyo Olympics
Jul 11, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Gabe Vincent #22 of the Nigeria Men's National Team dribbles the ball during the game against the USA Men's National Team on July 10, 2021 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Nigerian men's basketball national team made 20 three-pointers en route to defeating Team USA 90-87 in an Olympic exhibition matchup from Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent led Nigeria's three-point barrage by making 6-of-8 shots from downtown en route to 21 points. Caleb Agada hit all three of his three-pointers en route to 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
For Team USA, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant had 17 points, and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum added 15.
Team USA had a chance to tie the game after coming out of a timeout with 13.2 seconds remaining, but they did not get a shot off before shooting guard Zach LaVine was fouled with 3.5 seconds remaining.
LaVine missed both of his free-throw attempts, leading to Miami Heat center Precious Achiuwa's defensive rebound.
Achiuwa went to the free-throw line with a chance to ice the game for Nigeria, but he also missed both free throws with 1.4 seconds left.
A scramble for a loose ball ensued, and it ended in Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard's hands. A desperate full-court heave for the tie did not connect, and Nigeria pulled off the stunning upset after a terrific performance.
This win was not a fluke: Nigeria was clearly the better team on this night, as evidenced by its fantastic shooting display and tough defense.
Still, it was a stunning result given the pregame expectations plus Team USA's past history against Nigeria.
B/R Betting noted the sportsbook figures prior to the game:
The last game between these two teams notably ended with Team USA winning 110-66 in the run-up to the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Team USA also beat Nigeria 156-73 during the 2012 Summer Olympics.
This year's team has five more exhibition matchups before the Summer Olympics, which begin on Friday, July 23. Team USA has a long way to go in search of its fourth straight Olympic gold, and after the game, head coach Gregg Popovich took a more optimistic, long-term view of the loss.
"In a way, I’m kind of glad it happened," Popovich said, per Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. "That means nothing if we don’t learn from it. It could be the most important thing in this tournament for us."
On the other sideline, it's a tremendous moment for ex-NBA head coach (and current Nigerian national team head coach) Mike Brown, as Anthony Slater of The Athletic noted:
What a moment for Mike Brown. Took the job as head coach of the Nigerian national team in hopes of transforming the program over the next half-decade. Quite an immediate boost. They just upset Team USA in an Olympic exhibition opener in Vegas.
Nigerian national team isn't short on NBA talent: Three members of the Miami Heat (Achiuwa, Vincent and KZ Okpala) were in the starting lineup alongside Minnesota Timberwolves wing Josh Okogie.
That doesn't include the non-NBA talents, including Agada, who plays for Hapoel Be'er Sheva of the Israeli Premier League.
Their collective effort was nothing short of sensational against a team loaded with All-Star talent:
Granted, three of those players (Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks) were unavailable due to their ongoing participation in the NBA Finals, but the rest of that crew is made up of current or former NBA All-Stars outside Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant, who just averaged a career-high 22.3 points per game.
Team USA will look to rebound in its next exhibition matchup against Australia at 8 p.m. ET on Monday.
Kevin Durant: Team USA Aims to 'Honor' Kobe Bryant with Play at Tokyo Olympics
Jul 9, 2021
Kevin Durant shoots during practice for USA Basketball, Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant spoke about the influence late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has on him and the rest of the United States men's Olympic basketball team during a press conference on Friday (h/t Angelo Guinhawa of ClutchPoints).
— The 3 Point Conversion (@3ptCnvrsn) July 9, 2021
“Kobe Bryant is the guy that all of us looked up to and watched as kids. And even when he was alive and playing, his DNA was embedded in us as players. From afar, [he] taught us what the game is about, what work ethic is about.
And we all kind of pull from him when he was playing and when he was alive. And now that he’s not with us no more, we all want to honor his teachings by going out there and playing with that passion, with that energy every single play.
And guys that had close relationships understand how he will approach every single day, especially with Team USA. He really took pride in being a part of this group and part of this team.
We all feed off of that type of energy, and Kobe always brought that, so he's always big to everyone of us here. We miss him, we miss him dearly because he would be in here, supporting us.
Bryant's decorated career included plenty of success on the international stage, including a pair of Olympic gold medals and the 2007 FIBA World Championship gold medal with Team USA.
Durant and Bryant played together on the 2012 Olympic team, which went undefeated and won a gold medal over Spain in London. That group outscored their opponents by an average of 32.1 points per game.
KD has also built an excellent international basketball resume, winning two Olympic gold medals in addition to World Championship gold. He notably led the Olympic team in scoring in 2012 and 2016.
Durant is looking for his third Olympic gold at this year's Summer Games, and he'll be flanked by some talented players:
Warriors' Stephen Curry Has 'No Regrets at All' for Skipping Olympics with Team USA
Jul 9, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament on May 19, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
An Olympic gold medal is one of the few accolades missing on Stephen Curry's resume, but the Golden State Warriors star is content with turning down the opportunity to represent Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Curry told reporters Friday he's "very confident in that decision."
"No regrets at all. Obviously being here, playing golf, having fun with my family—that's a personal thing," he said. "But there's always that itch to play and play on the biggest stage, like the Olympics. But it just wasn't the right thing for me and the right time."
As the 2012 Olympics rolled around, the then-24-year-old was a promising young guard who missed the cut for the final squad.
Four years later, he had collected the second of his back-to-back MVPs and firmly cemented himself as one of the NBA's top talents. However, he cited knee and ankle injuries in choosing to withdraw from consideration for the 2016 Olympic roster.
This time around, Curry almost certainly would've been a shoo-in once again. The 33-year-old averaged an NBA-best 32.0 points along with 5.8 assists, and he was third in the MVP voting.
Players around the league are once again looking at a shorter offseason with the 2021-22 campaign on track to tip off in mid-October. Following a year that was taxing both mentally and physically, it was little surprise when marquee names such as Curry opted against making the trip to Tokyo.
Given his age, the 2020 Summer Games might be Curry's last best chance to taste Olympic success.
Failing to win a gold medal wouldn't change his legacy at all, but it would be surprising if a player of his caliber never suits up for Team USA at the Olympic level.
Warriors' Stephen Curry Says Passing on 2021 Tokyo Olympics Was a 'Hard Decision'
Jul 8, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 12: Stephen Curry of USA Mens National Team participates in minicamp at UNLV on August 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said he has no regrets on declining an opportunity to play with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, but the decision was far from easy.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, the guard said he's taking the time to enjoy his summer after the shortest offseason in NBA history last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While he's already back on the court working out, Curry said joining Team USA in Tokyo just "wasn't right for me."
Steph Curry said it was a "hard decision" to pass on the Olympics: "I do value the offseason. I am working out, back on the court. But to try to go and play, there's a lot that can happen...It just wasn't right for me. Very confident in that decision. No regrets."
Curry previously played for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in 2010 and 2014, winning gold in both tournaments.
This is the second consecutive Olympic games Curry has opted out of. He withdrew from the 2016 team that won gold at the Rio Games due to ailing knees and ankles.
Considering Curry has played only 137 games over the last three seasons, it make sense he would want a full offseason to recover, especially after the Warriors failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Over 63 contests in 2020-21, Curry averaged a career-high 32.0 points, 5.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game.
The guard didn't explain much about his offseason routine on Thursday, but there's plenty of time for him to ramp up activities before training camp opens in late September.
In the meantime, Team USA shouldn't miss Curry too much.
The national team led by head coach Gregg Popovich features Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Jerami Grant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Zach LaVine, among others. They are currently the odds-on favorites to win the gold medal, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, which lists Team USA at -1000 (bet $1000 to win $100). Spain and Australia have the next-best odds at +1200 and +1600, respectively.
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Report: Quickley, Washington, Bridges Out of Select Team Camp Due to COVID Protocols
Jul 8, 2021
New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Denver. The Nuggets won 113-97. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Three members of the USA men's Select Team have reportedly left training camp due to COVID-19 protocols.
Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Immanuel Quickley, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges were taken out of camp in Las Vegas.
Windhorst noted all three players participated in Thursday's practice with Team USA.
Quickley, Washington and Bridges were among 17 players named to USA Basketball's men's Select Team.
The group is training with the U.S. Olympic team in Las Vegas during camp before the main squad heads to Tokyo later this month for the 2020 Games.
It's not clear if any of the three players tested positive for COVID-19 or had close contact with someone who did.
Quickley was one of two New York Knicks rookies on the Select Team, along with Obi Toppin. The 22-year-old averaged 11.4 points per game on 38.9 percent three-point shooting in his debut season.
Washington and Bridges are teammates with the Charlotte Hornets. They were first-round picks in their respective draft class.
Bridges was originally selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, but his draft rights were sent to Charlotte in exchange for the rights to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The 23-year-old averaged 12.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 2020-21.
Washington set a career high with 12.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in 65 appearances for the Hornets this season.
Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Team USA Show Off New Uniforms Before Tokyo Olympics
Jul 8, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Kevin Durant #7 of Team USA poses for a portrait at the ARIA Resort & Casino on July 7, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
Several members of the United States men's national basketball team modeled their new uniforms Thursday ahead of the upcoming 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
As seen in the following video posted on the NBA's official Twitter account, most of Team USA took part in a pre-Olympics photo shoot:
Among the biggest stars to show off the blue unis with white lettering and red trim were Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.
Only three of the 12 members of Team USA were not present for the photoshoot, but they had a good reason.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Milwaukee Bucks teammates Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are all playing in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Other players featured in the video include Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love.
With several top players such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, Chris Paul of the Suns, Stephen Curry of the Warriors and James Harden of the Nets removing themselves from Team USA consideration, many members of the squad will be Olympic debutants in Tokyo.
Durant, Green and Love are the only members of head coach Gregg Popovich's team with Olympic experience under their belts.
Even so, the Americans will be heavily favored to win gold for a fourth consecutive Olympic Games when the 2021 Tokyo Olympics begin July 23.
Report: Anthony Edwards to Miss Rest of USA Select Team Camp with Ankle Injury
Jul 7, 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards plays during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie wing Anthony Edwards suffered a sprained ankle playing for the Select Team in a scrimmage against Team USA on Thursday, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Per that report, "it's not believed to be serious but he'll be out for the rest of training camp."
The 19-year-old was the top overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft after averaging 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his lone season at Georgia, shooting 40.2 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from three. His size, athleticism, ability to finish at the rim and create his own offense made him too intriguing a player for Minnesota to pass on.
Coming into the NBA, however, it was clear he was something of a prospect given his room for growth as a defender, his poor three-point shooting in college, some questionable shot selection and the need to improve as a playmaker.
Both his upside and areas for growth have been evident in the NBA, where he averaged 19.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a rookie, finishing as the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award to Charlotte's LaMelo Ball. He shot 41.7 percent from the field and just 32.9 percent from three.
While Minnesota's short-term aspirations are more closely tied to the play of Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell, Edwards is a huge part of the future. The Timberwolves will be monitoring his current injury situation closely, though the injury doesn't appear to be anything worrisome.
Jayson Tatum to Wear Kobe Bryant's No. 10 for Team USA: 'It's a Tremendous Honor'
Jul 7, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Jayson Tatum #10 of Team USA smiles during USAB Mens National Team practice at the Mendenhall Center on July 6, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jayson Tatum will wear the No. 10 jersey for Team USA at the Summer Olympics, following in the path of Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.
"It's a tremendous honor," Tatum said of the jersey number, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. "And I'll wear it proudly."
Kobe memorably wore No. 8 and 24 for the Los Angeles Lakers but put on the No. 10 jersey for Team USA. Tatum, who wears No. 0 for the Boston Celtics, is looking to honor the deceased superstar.
"With this being the first Olympics since we lost him, it holds that much more value," he said. "It's not something I take lightly."
Bryant played a key role for USA Basketball, representing the country in the 2008 Olympics as part of the "redemption team" after a disappointing bronze medal in 2004. The 2008 squad returned to dominance behind Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony among others.
Four years later, Kobe was again a key player as the United States took home a second straight gold medal in 2012.
Tatum is looking to replicate this success in Tokyo, although his previous senior experience was not quite as good. The forward was part of a 2019 FIBA World Cup team that finished in seventh place, although he only played two games because of an ankle injury.
The 23-year-old has seen his career blossom since then with two straight All-Star selections. Tatum finished this past year averaging 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, all career highs.
He is now expected to be a key player for the Americans later this month as he tries to replicate the success of his "favorite player" in Bryant.
