Team USA men’s basketball is starting to look like it is on its way to winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it isn’t a guarantee by any means.
There are a couple of other countries that could end up winning the gold, and one in particular has some experts concerned.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said Team Canada can be an issue because it plays a style that is similar to the United States’ — namely, it has perimeter players who can score both on and off the ball, not to mention wing defenders.
“They obviously are not going to have any fear about going up against the Americans, who they are their peers,” Windhorst said of Canada. “And they have been battle-tested.”
“They play a game that matches the way Team USA plays.”@windhorstespn on Canada’s men’s national basketball team potentially being an issue pic.twitter.com/nEaFbdygmv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 2, 2024
Canada boasts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who some felt should’ve been the NBA MVP this past season, Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett and a few other NBA players.
It defeated Spain to complete group play undefeated and advance to the quarterfinal round.
The United States, as usual, has by far the best roster in men’s basketball at this year’s Olympics, but even though it has won the gold at each of the past four Summer Games, it hasn’t been easy.
A lapse of focus, or a bit of complacency or overconfidence could result in a loss during tournament play, which would mean Team USA would leave without the gold medal.
The last time it failed to win the gold was 2004, when a squad led by a young LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony won the bronze medal in Athens after losing to Argentina in the semifinal round.
The post Brian Windhorst Names Country That Can Be Issue For Team USA appeared first on The Cold Wire.