Losing to France Was Only Way for Team USA to Motivate Legit NBA Stars to Play in FIBA Competitions

While the United States has by far the largest and most passionate basketball culture in the world, even the mighty can fall when they consider an international tournament handily won before it even started.

Playing with the likes of Harrison Barnes and Jaylen Brown as opposed to the litany of NBA stars that withdrew to prepare for the upcoming season, Team USA was shockingly upset in the quarterfinals by a deep, motivated French team.

The Dream Team this is not.

If there is one silver lining for the Americans, it's that this may finally stop the mass indifference from the best in the sport and could coax them back to the international stage.

Visions of Paul George snapping his leg might dance in the heads of every player who chose to say no to Team USA, but you can bet their patriotism will win out in future tournaments after their country was humiliated on an international stage.

No disrespect to the likes of Mason Plumlee and Derrick White, but they're not the caliber of player you want representing the best basketball nation in the world in the FIBA World Cup.