The United State men’s basketball team has always been the gold standard in any international basketball competition. Whether it’s the Olympics or the FIBA World Cup, the Americans had always reigned supreme.
But that was the thing in the past.
Now, USA will enter the 2019 FIBA World Cup as vulnerable as the team that bombed out in the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis in 2002.
Without the service of a bona fide superstar, this USA team will go to battle deprived of a go-to guy who can take over a game in clutch situations.
Australia proved just that in Saturday’s exhibition game, as they came through with a stunning 98-94 win over the USA in the second game of their back-to-back friendlies at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Australia recorded their first-ever win against the USA in any competition. More importantly, the Aussie win just exposed Team USA’s weaknesses, giving other contenders a blueprint on how to dismantle the No.1 team in the world at the FIBA World Cup.
Without further ado, here are the seven teams who have real shot at upsetting Team USA in China starting next week.
Australia (No.10 in FIBA Rankings)
It’s fitting to start the list with the team that just beat the USA. Despite the withdrawal of All-Star point guard Ben Simmons, the Boomers have already a terrific core to rely on. Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova are already battle-tested veterans who are no strangers to international competition.
Canada (No.23 in FIBA Rankings)
Like Team USA, Team Canada took a big blow after their high-profile NBA players decided to forego their national duties. Still, the Canadians aren’t pushovers. The might have a team consists of Cory Joseph and a bunch of G-League players, but the presence of NBA championship-winning head coach Nick Nurse will give them reasons to play hard and shock the world.
France (No.3 in FIBA Rankings)
France is a very dangerous team loaded with NBA talent from top to bottom. Two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert is expected to anchor Les Bleus’ defense, while shooters like Evan Fournier, Nando de Colo and Nicolas Batum can hurt ant team from the perimeter. In short, this team has the length and shooting to make things difficult for the USA.
Serbia (No.4 in FIBA Rankings)
Serbia, the silver-medalist at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2016 Olympics, will be fielding the tallest frontcourt in the competition. Boban Marjanovic and Nikola Jokic are going to intimidate any team – including the USA. Add the scoring savvy of Bogdan Bogdanovic, Marko Guduric and Nemanja Bjelica, and you have a team poised for a gold medal finish in China.
Greece (No. 8 in FIBA Rankings)
Greece was already a good team with plenty of deadly shooters on their roster even before they brought in Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the addition of the NBA MVP makes them a legitimate title contender. His ability to create havoc, especially in transition, will be a key to the Greek’s success. If Antetokounmpo goes MVP mode, no one is going to stop him in China, not even team USA.
