Team USA Men’s Basketball 2016: Defending The Gold Medal

With the Olympics in Rio looming, will the “B-Squad” of the 2016 Team USA Men’s Basketball be able to defend the gold medal?

With August quickly approaching, the allure and essence of the Olympic games is upon us. While we as viewers bask in the showmanship and bright lights of the opening ceremonies, the athletes look forward to competing in order to bring home medals that will showcase the immense pride they have in themselves and their country.

The 2016 Team USA Men’s Basketball group is set to begin its defense of the gold medal against China on August 6th. There are noticeable absences from this rendition of Team USA for this Olympic contest. Even though superstars like Stephen Curry and Lebron James have decided to withdraw, we are fortunate enough to have the premiere selection of talent in the world to fuel our team.

Anthony Davis on the importance of winning gold medals, “For me, it’s No. 1, you don’t really get an opportunity to win a gold medal every year, and I’m fortunate to have two, one for the World Cup and one for the Olympics.”

However, many are claiming that without stars like James, Curry, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and others, we are sending a “B-Squad” to Rio to compete.

But it is time to admit something as American sports fans. From the unmatched glory of having a McDonalds on every corner to being able to drive a car that’s as big as our house, we have been spoiled. After the 2006 loss & 2008’s Redeem Team, the USA program ensured that it would not be knocked off its pedestal again.

If putting a lineup on the floor of Irving, Thompson, Green, Anthony & Cousins is considered “B-Squad” then I think we’ll “B” ok.

Terrible jokes aside, this team may not have the draw of the world’s biggest superstar in LeBron James, but it does have youth, unselfish play and now it has three pieces of the new look Warriors squad in Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

This will be the first real chance that these three have a chance to play and work out any kinks they may have amongst themselves against competition on a world stage. For the rest of the NBA, that might spell trouble but for the glory of the hot dog loving, beer drinking Americans out there watching, it just might mean another gold is coming home.

Group Play Breakdown 

USA v China: On August 6th, the Americans will face off against the Chinese in their opener for group play. Team USA has dominated China in the Olympics dating back to the 1984 games when America won 97-49. Since then, the closest the Chinese have come to beat the USA was in 2008 when America won by a convincing 31 points. The main thing to watch here from an NBA perspective rather will be to see how the new Warriors look, and how the Chinese draftee for the Rockets, Zhou Qi, plays against his future competition. (Tale of the Tape)

USA  v Venezuela: Venezuela is ranked 22nd by FIBA whereas the USA stands far, far above them as the No. 1 rated team in the world. This will be a race to see how quickly the USA can win by 50. (Tale of the Tape)

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USA v Australia: This is a game that could catch the Americans off guard. Fueled by the former Cavalier, now Milwaukee Buck, Matthew Dellavedova alongside Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills, the Australians are looking pretty solid here. If Bogut is healthy enough to play at a high level before his injury in the NBA Finals, they could give the Americans a good fight. (Tale of the Tape) 

USA v Serbia: The last time the Americans played Serbia was for the championship in the FIBA World Cup in 2014. With the additions of Nikola Jokic and others, the Serbian squad might be able to put up a better display than their 129-92 loss in 2014. (Tale of the Tape)

USA v France: The last game of the USA’s group play could be their most difficult. Facing off against a squad of Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum and others, alongside their wealth of experience, playing against the youthful players on Team USA could further pose a challenge. However, I’ll be rooting for a repeat of the 1984 shellacking when the USA beat France 120-62.  (Tale of the Tape)

The United States Roster

15 – Carmelo Anthony, F, New York Knicks 

8 – Harrison Barnes, F, Golden State Warriors 

4 – Jimmy Butler, G, Chicago Bulls

12 – DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings

9 – DeMar DeRozan, G, Toronto Raptors 

5 – Kevin Durant, G, Oklahoma City Thunder

13 – Paul George, F/G, Indiana Pacers 

14 – Draymond Green, F, Golden State Warriors 

10 – Kyrie Irving, G, Cleveland Cavaliers 

6 – DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers 

7 – Kyle Lowry, G, Toronto Raptors 

11 – Klay Thompson, G, Golden State Warriors

THE GROUP PLAY SCHEDULE:

• August 6th: China v USA 
• August 8th: Venezuela v USA
• August 10th: Australia v USA
• August 12th: Serbia v USA
• August 14th: France v USA 

must read: How The Boston Celtics Have Stayed A Step Ahead

Writer’s Note: Thank you for reading my first submission to Sir Charles in Charge. If you’d like, follow me on Twitter @DanielGStone. What do you think are our expectations for the Olympic games? Looking forward to anything specific? Let us know in the comments!