At FIBA World Cup, U.S.A. Basketball Flirts With Vulnerability

Gregg Popovich had his clipboard out in the final seconds to illustrate for Kemba Walker what he wanted on a potential game-tying possession for the United States national team. Australia’s Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova sneaked up beside them to eavesdrop on the instructions.

It is difficult to imagine Ingles, playing for the Utah Jazz, or Dellavedova, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, having the gumption to try such a maneuver in an N.B.A. game. Not with the intimidating sideline presence Popovich casts when he is coaching the San Antonio Spurs.

Yet this was an exhibition game in Melbourne on Saturday, with more than 50,000 fans in the stadium — and with Popovich presiding over the most star-shy collection of N.B.A. players to represent the United States since professionals were granted admittance to Olympic basketball competition in 1992.

In that moment — and especially at the final buzzer after Australia held on for a 98-94 victory — it was clear: This U.S. national team inspires nothing close to its usual fear factor after all but two current N.B.A. All-Stars declined invitations to play in the FIBA World Cup.

Source: The New York Times

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