Tokyo Olympics 2022: Here’s Why Fans Shouldn’t Get Comfortable After Team USA’s Thumping Win Over Iran Last Night

Team USA stepped onto the hardwood last night with a point to prove. The U.S. gut punched a relatively inexperienced Iranian team, who were no match for the all-star power on the court for the United States. Durant and company came out of the gates looking to assert themselves last night.

And considering the mismatch in terms of firepower, in the end, the task proved too overwhelming for Iran. While the win would’ve provided the team with a ton of confidence, does last night really put all the concerns looming over this team to bed?

With their loss to France still fresh in the public’s minds, it is important that the United States aren’t caught sleeping yet again!

Fortunately for USA, experienced campaigners in Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard led the counter-charge, as they posted their first W at the 2020 Olympics. Lillard topped the scoring sheet, as he scored 21 points, shooting seven 3pt shots!

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The buzz around Team USA

Following last night’s win, a few experts believe they’ve seen enough to once again anoint Team USA as the team to beat. But, in the process of once again creating all the hype after beating a team who didn’t have a single player in the NBA, are the issues being swept under the rug?

Let’s face facts, a win against the 23rd ranked team was nothing but a formality. The U.S. were always favored to win by a margin greater than 30 yesterday. But the road from here only gets tougher as they face the 12th seeded Czech Republic on Saturday, followed by a probable rematch with France, Australia, or even Spain in the knockouts.

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Here are the glaring issues which make them vulnerable against teams, where team chemistry may after all trump American talent.

• Overdependence on the Isolation game – While building majority of the roster with ball-dominant players pays off, the team is susceptible to failure, if the stars fail to show up!
• Chemistry – Even though they looked like a well-oiled machine against Iran, hitting 19 of their 31 3-pt shots, forging chemistry in a brief period will be a challenge. A challenge that cost them owing to the lack of continuity and playing time together, as compared to Australia, France, and Slovenia.

•  Roster Gaps – Team USA are desperately missing another skilled big-man. An Anthony Davis or DeMarcus Cousins of sorts, as they seem to fall short with Bam Adebayo not living up to the mark. Facilitation is another gap area, with too much pressure on Draymond Green to initiate the offense every possession.

Journey to the promised land

While the Americans are now just one win away from securing a spot in the knockout, their path to the gold is anything but certain! However, it won’t take much effort to beat the Czech Republic, whom they will face on Saturday.

If and when they book a spot in the knockouts, and let’s be honest it would be shocking if they din’t, do not expect any more thumping victories. With the United States most vulnerable in terms of their contingent strength these Olympics, could Luka Doncic end the American dream?

The Dallas Mavericks star is prying close by. And with the adequate support from an underestimated Slovenian lineup, any outcome looks likely. Has France’s win over Popovich and his boys given the others, including Spain and Australia, the roadmap to beating this all-star lineup?

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