SHOT 👏 MAKING 👏 ABILITY! 👏 - Stephen A. wants to see MORE from Team USA | First Take

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo join Molly Qerim on First Take to discuss what they'd like to see more from Team USA ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics after narrowly defeating South Sudan and Germany despite being big favorites
✔️Subscribe to ESPN+ espnplus.com/yo...
✔️ Get the ESPN App: www.espn.com/es...
✔️Subscribe to ESPN on KZbin: es.pn/SUBSCRIBE...
✔️ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIB...
✔️ Watch ESPN on KZbin TV: es.pn/KZbinTV
#ESPN

[@TheAeroRising]

Y’all been saying Lebron is 40 years old for 3 years and he’s still not 40. 😂

[@logicalbrother]

AD just said LeBron was 45😂...I guess they'll always add a few yrs to him

[@whatttbailly]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheAeroRising]

@@logicalbrother at least AD was kidding though

[@back2back379]

It's like how people used to say he's 250 lbs, then it was 260, then it was 270. "6'10", 280 lbs freight train coming straight at you!"

[@1Road2Success]

Y’all are right! These sportscasters embellish the body metrics and ages of basketball players all the time! More than any other sport it seems

[@zwei94]

for a brief second I thought it was was Skip sitting across Stephen A’s table

[@jeanmiess2625]

Me too😅

[@fadethechannel]

Soon lol idc what SAS says, ESPN is salivating over the thought.

[@richardmatthews2807]

@@fadethechannelthey’re not bringing back skip bro

[@mattk720]

​@@fadethechannelAgree. Ratings would be crazy initially. I think it would work well on an occasional basis; but not if they do it regularly.

[@benitofranklyn4237]

I'm pretty sure there was a Simpsons episode where they did that.

[@tipplers3417]

They struggle because times are different now. Those teams in other countries can play, they're so much better than they used to be, they can really play. Especially shoot much better. BUT! TEAM USA should not be barely winning games, then the 40 yr gets em the win

[@jayydap145]

For whatever reason no one ever wants to bring that up and acknowledge how much better the rest of the world is now🤦🏽‍♂️I agree team USA has its few issues but people just act like the other teams are complete scrubs

[@shonda79able]

That's the answer

[@datsapaddlin]

Those teams also actually practice with together more often. Team USA probably would handle them if they ain’t just get together weeks before the tournament. Chemistry matters now that the world is better. USA wins off talent not actual chemistry but that’s why games are also closer.

[@Artbyartcreates]

Facts bro lol… ik they see all these non Americans taking over the league lol.. them boys been creating players in the lab like rocky 4 to beat USA 😂

[@nydibs]

Stop it, South Sudan is nowhere near as good as the ‘92 Croatia team that we beat twice

[@alexanderdumas-]

The Dream Team faced 6 NBA players in the whole Olympics. This year they face 61 NBa players. You can’t compare the level of competition.

[@a.w.b.9971]

South Sudan wasn't loaded with NBA talent

[@alexanderdumas-]

@@a.w.b.9971 they also were not an independent country until a decade ago what’s happening there is incredible. There’s not a single indoor basketball court in the whole country and they are balling good for them, let’s see how they fair against teams outside of practice games before we go to far

[@pvstar1323]

​@@alexanderdumas-you know that Sudan had basketball for years before the split..right?

[@alexanderdumas-]

@@pvstar1323 lmao as someone whose family died in the civil war across 3 decades yes I know and it’s why it’s amazing to me they have been able to raise men who can compete with a country that’s had basketball for much longer

[@lendesdail4304]

@@a.w.b.9971yes they were

[@KlikQuot]

Carmelo and KD use to kill these countries with those threes now everybody too cool 😂

[@d1chosen973]

Melo was a demon in the Olympics

[@berry4726]

USA basketball team is very soft they will be out of Olympic before you know it. South Sudan 🇸🇸 gonna win the tournament.

[@coronagaming3942]

Now they trapped

[@insabrevin1949]

@@berry4726 south sudan only did well vs Team USA but still lost. They lost all their other exhibition games.

[@berry4726]

@@insabrevin1949 it’s exhibition. You haven’t seen when they play competitive matches,wait and see.

[@nitoshadow]

Nah the difference is team chemistry and a set up system/ playstyle USA just be out there playing wit different players each time

[@ebirving1982]

Aka coaching....they need to get it together

[@caelevstephan4283]

@@ebirving1982kerr sucks

[@teamgrinders9152]

Exactly Kerr was never good. Took over mark jacksons built team. Kerr ain’t it

[@DanceswithHyenas]

Chemistry takes time. You can't hurry love!

[@michaelf6205]

Yea these international teams are all in sync at this point . USA is still making silly turnovers with no chemistry

[@thomascrowniii1693]

Somebody needs to tell Mad Dog that the international teams the 92 Dream Team played against aren't as good as the international teams today. There are actual NBA players on every team in the Olympic field. There are ALL NBA players on foreign rosters.

[@hipking23]

I agree with you on that. Today's international teams has at least 2-3 NBA players on them now.

[@l9ikjam]

I guess if you keep repeating this lie, you'll eventually get someone to believe you

[@tahderich]

That is not Mad dog's role, his role is to be tone deaf and pretend any type of dominance should be a walk in the park.

[@thomascrowniii1693]

@@l9ikjam Anybody who knows anything about basketball knows that the level of talent on international teams in 1992 isn't comparable to the level of talent on international teams in 2024. Anyone who knows anything about basketball knows that the level of coaching talent internationally today is better than the coaching talent is better than it was in '92, primarily because there are NBA assistants on those Olympic rosters. Anyone who knows anything about basketball knows that the two best foreign players in the '92 Olympics were Drazen Petrovic, who made one ALL NBA team and Toni Kukoc, who was 6th Man of the Year once and they were on the same team. The two best foreign players in this years Olympics are 3x MVP Nikola Jokic and 2x MVP Giannis. There are 57 current or former NBA players playing for foreign teams in this years Olympics. There were 14 current or former NBA players playing for foreign teams in the 92 Olympics. If you don't see the vast difference in talent 30 years later, you're not qualified to talk about basketball.

[@datsapaddlin]

Yeah I think the dream team would win because they had a talented team but it wouldn’t be as dominating because guys are better and more familiar with playing against other professionals now.

[@akingstruth]

This is why I hate modern day sports journalism. The countries around the world are 10x better than what the '92 team faced. Every team this squad played had NBA players on them. Last Olympics we won gold and still lost a game. Stop underestimating these countries

[@andersoncooper2304]

Stephen A analysis: hit perimeter shots 😂😂😂

[@Theyaintme_cb6]

😂😂😂 Yeah that was terrible I was like no duhhh, what other advice you have? Pass the Ball 😒🤔

[@rachidvanheyningen]

Yeah, but sometimes it's that simple and anything else is just mumbo jumbo

[@Izrael2481]

@@Theyaintme_cb6 The only thing that the international comp has been doing is shooting the 3 better, A LOT better. So yea, hitting their 3’s at an average clip would be an upgrade.

[@anthonym6542]

Bruh,,,, trust!!! Windhorst and Legler are the only credible basketball analysts.

[@BaithNa]

Way to expose yourself as a casual because 3pt percentage has been the difference in these games. Watch the actual games, kid.

[@VandjeeEs845]

The media spending more time on how the USA is beating these teams by low margins and not talking about the fact that the world is catching up

[@raycmusic]

Bingo!!!

[@uncleclark]

EXACTLY

[@narrickcuz]

I don’t get how hard it is to acknowledge that the rest of the world has caught up. It’s that simple. These teams have guys who have played with each other for years. That matters. Chemistry matters. Guys haven’t been as efficient that’s an issue too.

[@Griemmy]

The other teams dont play together as often as you think..these players play on different leagues and teams across the world too. Yeah, some players come and go, but they are tge same with any national team, you get selected if your one of the best. It's not only the US who has chemistry issues..you cant use that as an excuse. Prep time for these national teams are same2.

[@narrickcuz]

@@GriemmyI mean I hear you but even then it’s still not the same as the little prep time we get. None of those guys are playing an 82 games schedule. Most of those guys even compete in the Fiba world cups which is every two years. It’s not an excuse it’s just a fact. Most of the mistakes that team USA make are chemistry issues, bad rotations, thinking someone will cut or be in a spot and vice versa. They’ll be just fine.

[@Extensa2013]

Mad Dog has no idea how international competition has worked the last five years. Teams have become much more talented. Germany beat the USA last year and are the world champions. This is not "ridiculous": yes, the USA should've beaten South Sudan more easily, but having tough games against Germany and Serbia is not surprising, it's just proof that international teams are stepping up and making the game better.

[@Rushking20]

These guys are 5-0 way people talking you’d think they’re 0-5

[@Artbyartcreates]

You preaching

[@Artbyartcreates]

@@Rushking20they need topics for headlines lol

[@ShadowArt23]

I said the same thing the 92 dream team played no competition , they even was able to win with a bad back Larry bird and magic last season. Now the world has caught up and they don’t want to acknowledge it.

[@nydibs]

Germany beat Team USA's supposed C roster by 2 points at the FIBA World Cup. And now we added Lebron, Curry, AD, Bam, Embiid, Tatum, Booker... and win by what 4 or 6? Also, we beat Germany in the exhibition game for the fiba world cup by 8 points, so technically we are worse now

[@BucketsCulture]

Kerr got the worst adjustments and yet USA can still manage to win a game because of Bron

[@mobeezy81]

same with Curry and Klay in Golden State, saving his awful coaching on multiple occasions

[@sbabzy]

he is so bad Steve Kerr..... why start 3 guards 6ft 3 against guys 6ft 7 against Germany... Steve Kerr is so awful

[@jsn23nc]

Kerr should be able to put who ever out on the court and win by 20

[@khawk1283]

Here we go....smh

[@Ampjefffff]

​@@jsn23ncright ✅️

[@MaDFroG88]

Don’t underestimate Serbia, last week half roster did not play!

[@leongchoongwah]

Bogi was rested

[@jamesrawlins735]

As much as I hate what the 3-point shot has done to the game of Basketball, we definitely need more from Steph and the other sharpshooters.

[@user-xn5bt1ci9z]

Very true Carmelo and KD were red hot through the entire Olympics

[@brooklunwalter8122]

They not giving him the rock consistently

[@zealot1543]

Yeah I noticed they don’t even catch when he relocates on the floor to get open looks. Hopefully they’ll start adjusting.

[@ZaysWorld97]

The world is just better at basketball now, it's not just a USA dominant sport. It's as simple as that.

[@makedredd299]

South Sudan is going to be gold medalists 2024! 🇸🇸 🥇

[@DaemonTargaryen13]

🧢

[@ghostbalo]

I agree they look sublime

[@frankiethefrog1752]

@@ghostbalo🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@ll4680]

Third world nutrition, facilities, training and conditioning. Absolutely not 🤡

[@21paze]

Honestly they’re really not struggling they know who to put in the game in certain moments

[@newbeginning8095]

These teams are WAAAY better than 1992. That was over 32 years ago. The game has evolved. All these teams have NBA players on them, LEGITIMATE PRO PLAYERS. Smith is right on the point he made that they are not making shots. Curry or Booker is not shooting. They are like they want to put on show with dunks and oops, just play ball and humble down and do what you have to do to win a game.

[@Johnnyjibe]

You can’t have Booker and Steph guarding perimeter at the same time.. especially closing the game unless we’re down by 10 points with 2 minutes left

[@99HockeyDad99]

Shame on Steve Kerr !!!

[@Johnnyjibe]

Vando and Kcp are lock down Perimter disrupters. They need that for the defensive unit.

[@clearvisionentertainment4967]

?? Man said vando and kcp 😭😭 jrue holiday is on the team for a reason , AD, Bam ,there’s already defense

[@shyakafred5004]

Yeah you can’t put the fckn booker and Steph the same time

[@L4pa100]

Back In 92? Yo tell mad dog 1992 was over 25 years ago! Times have change the rest of the world got a lot better!

[@GhpNetwork]

That beat at 5:14 sound like one of them ole down south 2000 beats 😂😂😂

[@DavidBagga]

in my opinion it shows how much they need KD. Embiid still looks like he's a little out of shape too. i'd like to see AD starting since he's been a beast most of these games so far. these olympics are gonna be legit to watch 🏀 🇺🇸

[@pripsen4765]

U.S.A Basketball maybe promised to Embiid he will be a starter to make him chose to play for the U.S instead of France. A.D is playing at a much better level during those preparation games...

[@Swaggyp50]

@@pripsen4765 Embiid has had better games than AD the past two games

[@alexcastvix8823]

Also US strength is its depth, so it should be normal that players coming out of the bench dominate more than starting 5

[@David-mb9ip]

This ain't the 90's were there were like 8 NBA players around the world. There are like 60 now around the world who are in the NBA.

[@knell7900]

Stop acting like teams around the world didn’t get better stop in 92 there was no equivalent to a giannis or joker

[@raycmusic]

Yes there was look for Oscar Schmidt from Brazil and a bunch of other ones from other countries

[@sn34kg33k]

Mad Dog still comparing the 92 team to the present. Bruh they have to respect European teams. They are far better than before.

[@justinlong5589]

Because Steve Kerr's rotations he not using Haliburton, Jayson Tatum enough Steve Kerr is using all the vets.

[@Jrcobi12]

Nobody is talking about how bad the USA defense is. Their perimeter defense is horrible. That's why these other teams are shooting so well from three and making these games close.

[@michealdiddy3014]

92’ Dream Team played 5 NBA players in those olympics, this Olympic team are facing 50-60 NBA players in these Olympics so there’s more competition now

[@ShaquillePollard]

Really worried about them winning gold 😢

[@desireerdawson933]

Me too. I said this a week ago. These countries are coming hard at team usa.

[@kingmoreorless2810]

I hate whenever they say the dream team beat teams by an average of 45 points. The dream team faced plumbers and electricians. Right now the top 5 players in the MVP voting are all international players.

[@Souljourney22]

The competition is a lot better today from overseas teams.

[@GST_HENNN]

THEY'RE NOT USING STEPH THE RIGHT WAY!!! HE IS BEING RELEGATED TO BEING A SPOT UP 3PT SHOOTER.. STEPH NEEDS 2 HANDLE THE BALL TOO!!! EVERYTIME STEPH DRIVES HE EASILY GETS 2 THE BASKET, BUT LEBRON & ANTMAN ARE BALL DOMINANT RIGHT NOW... STEPH IS MORE THAN A SPOT UP SHOOTER & HE IS NOT ABLE 2 GET IN THE FLOW OF THE GAME

[@shahidmufti795]

Do you know why the USA is struggling so much in a few of these games???.....How about a wild concept.....it's called the other countries getting better and having better players than we think they have.....smdfh

[@datsapaddlin]

They need to do like Lebron and attack the paint. Everyone just jacking up bad shots

[@split_head_776]

The problem is the same problem with the Lakers. LeEgo doesnt want to give up the best player mantle. He ball hogs and slacks on defense during the game. Steph couldve had 30 vs Serbia, but somebody wanted their shine. A lot of these possessions are a 40 year old looking off his teammates and bulldozing into 2-3 defenders.

[@KR_5595]

No magnets!! Harder to hit shots when your use to having help!!!!!

[@obaimages]

Jaylen Brown would be a great shot maker, but when you speak up for Black ppl in America... never mind

[@sakthithanigai5036]

Bro it’s not that deep that Jaylen Brown didn’t make the squad nor does it matter. Ppl get snubbed every year JB isn’t that special, nor had he earned a spot on the Olympic roster. All the guys on this team have either participated in an Olympics before, have participated in FIBA multiple times or has been apart of the select team. Brown hasn’t done any of that.

[@mikedemac]

@@sakthithanigai5036JB was conference finals MVP and Finals MVP. No way Derrick White or should’ve been chosen as a replacement. It’s def more to it.

[@yonye.]

@@sakthithanigai5036if you’re not black you shouldn’t even be responding, just sit down and listen.

[@user-ov4nt3co2y]

He definitely wouldn’t be on the team now after what he said about Bronny 😂

[@datsapaddlin]

Hasn’t Lebron spoke up for Black ppl in America too though? I think he should be on the team but it’s obviously more than just him speaking on social issues

[@shawnturner2404]

The difference in all of this is three point shooting. But not just from our team but the rest of the world now. In the 1992 Olympics, when USA played Germany, the US went 5-16 from 3pt and Germany went 4-16. In yesterday’s game, the US went 6-17 from 3 while Germany went 13-45. When we narrowly escaped South Sudan, they went 14-33 from 3. As we’ve seen during March Madness, any team can get hot from 3 and take over. Shorter quarters don’t help either. The game is just different now. We do need to shoot better but with KD coming back I think some of that will be remedied. I also expect the defensive intensity to rise since the games count now.

[@haywood0457]

Team hasn’t shot well from deep. KD or no KD, they’ll start shooting better. Having KD would help since he’ll be able to spot up especially off of LBJ kick outs.

[@RohanKumar-pg8bw]

tbh they need to let Ant eat with the second unit because he's too ball hoggy w lebron and Steph. in the starting lineup, it has to run through Steph and Bron. they need to get Steph rolling early bc he can be their nuke if he's 🔥

[@alexmagic8934]

Germany has some NBA players. Franz Wagner has a lot of talent and has the potential to become an NBA ALL star.

[@ProvenHueMan]

Schroder catching strays 😂😂😂😂

[@trell439]

Bron the greatest I’ve ever seen.

[@cheesyboybrianmarvs]

It is not the USMBT's players' incompetence. They're VERY much full of talent, comparable to the '92 Dream Team. It's just that other countries' basketball talents have caught up with the US in terms of basketball competency.

[@madeking1988]

AD got fouled on the oop

[@BigC-vi9jq]

It’s amazing how screaming A smith puts everything on one player lol

[@youtubeonbullshhidontlikeg9817]

I think people forget that on a professional level any team can beat another when it’s just one game. Everybody says it during the regular season. This fact doesn’t change because it’s the Olympics. They had close games but they got it done. That’s all that matters

[@sakthithanigai5036]

If you wanna improve the Team’s shot making ability this is what to do. You get rid of Steve Kerr as the coach and replace him with Eric Spolestra or Joe Mazzulla. They don’t run offense with Steve Kerr

[@Michael-yk8nv]

Come on now, you don’t know anything about offense. Get over it.

[@sakthithanigai5036]

@@Michael-yk8nv ??? What does that have to do with Steve Kerr not running offense. That’s been a critique of him for years now. He’s been riding on the backs of Steph and Draymond for years now. There are better coaches out there

[@Paul-zo8rc]

This is the last time USA can win GOLD. Mark my words.

[@Rushking20]

Duhh 2028 team gone be led by who cooper flagg and ant?

[@jamesrawlins735]

I don't agree - we'll win gold again - it just won't be automatic. NBA is still the top league in the world.

[@jetmanjayjay4604]

Prisoner of the moment.

[@user-vb2bt9kh1p]

Agree Team usa will just become another competitor like the rest​@@jamesrawlins735

[@UCeddWhat]

“Mark my words” 🤣🤣🤣

[@lazarostheodorou9183]

SAS wearing the Marty McFly shirt.

[@Whyypreeeeeeeeee]

I actually love these close games. We know the USA is gonna win gold, but we don't wanna see a 30 point blowout every game

[@colinedelman6392]

KD is clearly the best. He’s needed

[@horikitasuzune-k9t]

Mad Dog really mentioned KD as if he played during this game LOL

[@dansmaw446]

Times are different…. Dream team played against 9 pro players this team rn playing against 61. This ain’t the 80’s and 90’s. People good at basketball.

[@davidlamar2806]

It’s ignorant to think other people can’t be amazing at basketball outside of America. The best players in our league now aren’t American

[@Glee_-]

They aren’t giving him the ball!

[@JayJayPlus]

Team USA just don’t play enough together. The rest of the world have team chemistry. German has the same team from last year so did South Sudan. Team USA has a new team every time.

[@jagr06]

This is the main problem none of them have played together as much as these other players so they lack chemistry and a system

[@RonMashate-hu8pn]

They needed Klay 😅

[@maliiksfu]

The world is improving. That’s a big factor too

[@geedub399]

They’re undefeated and still getting criticized

[@2GENUINE34]

Typical spoiled American commentators that never played a sport. They don’t respect great sportsmanship or effort. They just want results that aren’t realistic.

[@athens_1psvr31]

Does he bail out the teams or does he try to take over when it’s a shot difference or blowing teams out? That’s when I see the pull up and relentless driving. Not when down a bunch.

[@BrooksOrlando]

Problem with squads like this loaded with superstars is they have no idea how to play with each other. Some of these guys are going from team's #1 option to #4/5 when they're on the court...if you gave them time to adjust, they'd build continuity and smoke these teams. They've just been winging it on raw talent to this point. Don't be shocked if they lose here soon. Some of these intl units have been playing together for years.

[@benitofranklyn4237]

This will be a great tournament. It's so much more entertaining when every single game counts. The 82 games season and the 7 game series take a lot of excitement away.

[@keshoneturner5166]

They Keep Bringing Up The 1992 Dream Team They Face Nothing But Trash Back Then It’s 2024 The Talent In Basketball On a Whole Another Level

[@danielmubima2991]

Absolutely, Dream Team 1 played a bunch of semi professional bball players. Currently , Canada has 6 NBA players, Austraila has about 6 NBA players and Germany has 4 current NBA players! The level of global bball in 2024 is miles ahead of what it was in 1992!

[@dblock_5136]

1992 dream team is the best hands down especially if you were from that era of basketball and watched it live like me I’m from the 80’s just my opinion

[@Wisestomatoe]

@@dblock_5136you living off nostalgia and feelings

[@persistentlypathetic6820]

​@@dblock_5136 2008 team beats them

[@celtics1051]

@@danielmubima2991 Canada has 10 NBA players, with the other two being former NBA players. That's not counting Sharpe, Wiggins, Edey, Mathurin, etc. that are not even playing. Very different landscape.

[@user-vu8kl2qz2v]

Like Shaq said " if there is one person i don't want to get involved in trash talking/ criticizing/etc it would be Michael Jordan so please stay away from this guy " so it means if all of you will challenge the dream team with Jordan on it.. Michael Jordan " Fine I'll take personally" haha

[@mikezaremis3457]

What about players from Canada in the NBA ?? Yes Europe and Africa are producing great players but Canada has a good shot at a medal in Paris .

[@bumbarossdundahae6312]

International basketball has grown large and talent pool is good its the same thing we seen happen in hockey.

[@kaistreetsvisuals]

I said the same thing in 92- basketball is a competitive sport, I want to see a competition not a bunch of blow outs.

[@shaftrax24]

no one on u.s have a mamba mentality - thats why games are close

[@valoriethompson794]

Coming in 4th quarter, taking over the game and bringing THE WIN. I guess that doesn't count. JS

[@rldeuce8829]

Ppl forget dream team stars were younger and the rest of world is way better than 92

[@seowth]

1:45 lmao the producers couldn't find a more recent, more in-shape picture of Mr Smith? Someone had a chuckle about this!

[@Nicholasdean30mins]

You can't just put a bunch of great players together and expect them to gel right away. These other teams play together. At least their getting the wins.

[@pinkyandthebrain99]

Bron, Curry, AD, KD - all these players are past their prime. These other teams are younger ( keeps their legs fresher ) and share the ball much better.

[@SHARKKE_TOOTH]

Team USA NEEDS TO SELECT THEIR ROSTER EARLIER AND START PRACTICING YEARS BEFORE THE OLYMPICS

[@g.r.linden7713]

Shorter games, deeper rotations, and not being the primary option while on the court are all making it tough for Steph to catch fire.

[@ojaraivan7394]

As a fan of basketball, close games are fun to watch

[@calebcollins4401]

Switch Embidd for AD and your problems are solved

[@djenigma4429]

Facts! Embid looks slow

[@BrianAlexander25]

1. The 92 team was assembled to redeem America's pride, all those players knew that they a part of something special. 2. Jordan was at his absolute peak and he was psycho competitive and the leader, the face of that team. 3. The 92 team didn't even go super Saiyan in any of those games so we will never actually know how superior they were at the time. Their regular play was enough to beat teams by 60.

[@evan6080]

International teams have gotten way better over time especially with a lot of their players playing together since they were kids

[@dcdj35]

Stephen A: “Steph needs to be more of a presence” He’s 2nd on the team in scoring. . .

[@dreprezz3255]

What Stephen A is saying is dead on. That was my number one concern and if they are struggling against these teams….what happens when they meet Croatia, Greece, Spain…all teams who have just as must talent? Defense wins games. They mentioned the 92 Team; we don’t have to go that far back….ho back to The Redeem Team. That was the difference. That team played defense and it helped that you had Kobe that understood international play!

[@calvincox23]

Are we seriously still talking about what the "Dream Team" did??? The world has caught up...the Dream Team would not blow out any of these international teams now.

[@thevintagevehiclevlog1481]

I feel like curry know something we don’t know and he’s taking a back seat.. he might know this is brons fair well tour . And he lettin him do his thing. Because curry could easily dominate these overseas guys man

[@Deveaux5]

“Stiffer competition” they just beat the team that won it last year.. 😂

[@C4LLifestyle]

Canada isn't in Europe...

[@kevinmurtagh4996]

Why are people still so shocked that international games are close now? Between the proliferation of 3’s now, and the fact that international players are NBA-level now, of course the games will be close. These aren’t the days of playing countries with dudes who started playing ball a year ago. If you add in that teams are taking and making 3’s at a high clip, the margin of error is completely removed. In 20 years, when the teams really are equal, these dudes will still be stuck in 1992.

[@kevinbryant2308]

Ain’t no such things as small teams anymore everyone a threat .. that’s the best way I can say it

[@ktm1984]

Why nobody ever mentions the 96 men's USA basketball team? They always talking about the dream team in 92. They had a great squad in 96 also and they won the gold medal

[@user-pj9ce5lb9q]

Analysts never understand how important team chemistry is. Other team have been playing together for years, look at how Australia plays. It’s a work of art. USA have only been together for 3 weeks and you can tell

[@kinggodtravis]

Man, I thought that was Skip 🤣

[@TheSlickrick269]

It’s about chemistry all the other teams have played together longer than team USA. Every year they come up with a new roster and have to develop new chemistry. It doesn’t matter how much talent you have, if they can’t all gel together than they can lose to anybody. Especially teams that do gel together.

[@gnvtwhp1218]

And the international refs doing giving these NBA STARS any "star treatments"😂 Embiid waving his arms at the refs after every play😂😂😂

[@junadolfo3339]

Kerr’s 3 guard lineup doesn’t work anymore. Small ball is obsolete and a defensive liability. It costs Team USA a medal last year’s FIBA. Kerr’s rotation is horrible 😄😄😄

[@MadMan-vs2mc]

We done with the 90s old man. The dream team was playing farmers who had never touched a basketball before. Teams now are miles better.

[@ctgal9698]

Excuse you, the Amish have some very skilled ballers

[@michaelchang1436]

Chris Russo didnt watch the game man. Team USA was definitely playing defense, but South Sudan's shots were jsut going in

[@acm0045]

Blame Kevin Durant not LeBron. lol.

[@Fivestarbk6767]

Huh??

[@auburnmann3630]

1992: The Dream Team 2008: The Redeem Team 2012: The Anniversary Team 2024: The Last Dance Team

[@tylerdurden7142]

The Olympics showcases basketball using basketball rules. No traveling, no BS flop fouls, no 20 free throws in the last 8 seconds of games in order to win on technicalities, much more physicality, and actual defense (not just letting your opposition take shots and run up for easy layups/dunks). This and the steeper competition is why the US is struggling. Other nations play actual basketball while the NBA players are used to paying NBA-style hoops.

[@collider12]

I love these close games though, you can see a little panic & the best players in the world lock in, even in a exhibition game it’s cool to see

[@aricanderson367]

How Molly said let’s pause on the nba talk and talk about the lakers lol

[@FAITH4G]

USA have to be careful with the euro teams 3 point shooters. Euro is good at shooting.