Lakers News: Insider Blames Team USA's World Cup Failure On Lack Of Roster Cohesion
We are now a couple of days removed from Team USA ending their run in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the reactions from the basketball world have not not been very pleasant. There certainly were plenty of criticisms surrounding the US's roster when it was first announced due to lack of veteran superstars on the team but it was also clear that this squad was made to give some younger talent in the NBA the opportunity to shine.
Unfortunately, Team USA failed to even get the bronze medal after first losing to Team Germany and then falling to Team Canada in the third-place game. Infamous Lakers nemesis Dillon Brooks shined when the lights were brightest for Canada and dropped 39 points en route to their victory.
Two notable players in Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. did not suit up in the final game for the US and both had been struggling to find a role within the squad all throughout the tournament. Ingram publicly expressed signs of frustration with his own play and Jackson Jr. caught a lot of heat for his lack of rebounding as the weeks went on.
Austin Reaves, starting shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, performed pretty consistently along with Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton but their trio did not serve to be enough.
Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer believes that the proper steps were not taken taken by Team USA to succeed in the FIBA 2023 World Cup.
"There was no veteran with senior national team experience. There were no trials or auditions with players being cut after scrimmages, such as with Canada’s training camp."(Via Yahoo Sports)
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