Serbia is a really good squad and I would think as the favorite for Gold and had a favorable whistle today. They didn't need it.
How did Canyon Barry even make this team? Love what he did for UF but his being an Olympian basketball player is a joke.
Obviously, it’s not a sport the US prioritized. Looked like we sent a few guys someone found playing mens league ball somewhere.
After getting served up to Serbia, we just got pounded by Poland. Our competition is taller, faster and shoots much better than us.
Women 3 v 3 has looked rough too....literally looks like both teams just got thrown out there unprepared
August Game 1: Barry played much better, but we just got lit-up by Lithuania today. After getting served up to Serbia & previously pounded by Poland.
This team is just not very good. Defensively, they really struggle. Their quickness and size is lacking.
Any NBA players playing on other teams? From what I’ve seen not sure anyone is putting “their best” out there for 3 on 3. Although the U.S. lineup just looked silly.
Our guys are having a bad tournament so far. Canyon has been on the US 3x3 team for years and they have done much better in the past. The game is very different from 5x5. It is VERY pace paced. And being only 10 minutes long a lot depends on if a team can get on even a mini roll. A lot of variability in results as opposed to a 40 minute 5x5 game where the better team usually wins.
August Game 2: If it weren't for bad luck, our 3X3 team would have no luck at all. Barry came out hot (scoring 9 of USA's first 11)...and then fell flat against Latvia.
Latvia is the World #1 3x3 team IIRC and Jimmer is the #1 rated 3x3 player and is totally hobbled for the US. Huge loss for Team USA. I thought the US squad was going to pull this one off in a miracle but just fell short. I played a lot of 3x3 in gyms in Illinois as an undergrad and grad student. So many people wanted to play that it was rare to be able to get a full court. We didn't have a two point shot because there wasn't an arc back then but taking the ball back behind the free throw line extended was the rule. In Chicago it was either "West Side" (make it - take it) or change of possession after a made basket. It was always a "live" ball inbounding at the top of the key. I was known to take and make the shot if the defender backed off. It is a FAST game. Lots of big guys get gassed very early on. Added in edit: After a made basket it was an inbounds at the top of the key and not a live ball like it is in Olympic 3x3. That makes the game MUCH faster.
With Jimmer out the US players have no rest and you can tell they are gassed by the end. Both games today they didn’t have enough to hold on.