Team USA Just Got Embarrassed by Collection of G-League and Overseas Players
By Kevin Aquino
Can I get a yikes?
The players that remain committed to representing Team USA in the FIBA World Cup this summer just lost in a scrimmage to the 2019 USA Select Team, coached by Jeff Van Gundy.
The Select Team is made up of a collection of G-League and overseas players, making this an incredibly embarrassing loss for Team USA.
A collection of G-League/overseas players beat Team USA (closing line up of K. Walker, D. Mitchell, H. Barnes, PJ Tucker and B. Lopez handily in a scrimmage just now to close USA practice. Great effort from the unheralded group.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) August 14, 2019
We knew that this squad would be one of the weaker United States teams to represent the country, but credible, sure-fire NBA studs came up short to Justin Anderson, John Jenkins and Travis Wear? Will Wear get a call from the New York Knicks for a return after this?
This is bad. Sure, it was only practice, but it's basically the freshman team mopping up the floor with varsity, and that's never a good sign.
This team just defeated the USA Basketball squad headed to China 36-17 in a scrimmage. Are we sure we're sending the right team? https://t.co/PhB2KakEpb
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 14, 2019
The closest comparison we have to this is The Dream Team losing a scrimmage to the 1992 Select Team, but at least the amateur squad was led by Chris Webber. The Dream Team also won gold that year and is one of the most iconic squads in basketball history.
To make matters worse for the 2019 squad, the 36-17 drubbing wasn't the only loss they took. The Select Team also handled them in a three-point victory during practice, making it two egregious L's for the men.
As if the Team USA drubbing vs. the Select Team wasn’t bad enough, sources tell @TheAthletic that it was their second loss to the Select Team on the day (the first one was by three, with the game going just 10 minutes). Not a great way to go into Friday’s exhibition v. Spain.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) August 14, 2019
Maybe it's time to consider picking up the phone and giving a call to Carmelo Anthony, as he could be the only one able to save this team from pure embarrassment on the global stage.
After virtually every star player backed out of the competition, this collection of talent is the best chance the U.S. has to achieve FIBA success, but things don't seem to be going too well thus far.