As long as basketball has been a sport, national events always end the same way. With Team USA dominating. The 2004 Cinderella run of Argentina aside, the events follow a similar path. While the world competes for a hard-earned second-place finish, the US coasts to victory.

However, that mantra seems to be seeing a shift. Perhaps, the globalization of the NBA is becoming more visible by the day. Putting things in perspective, with some harsh words for the men’s team, was a former NBA veteran.

Team USA thrashed by 3-time NBA All-Star

Over the last few years, the NBA has gone through a global expansion. Whilst touted as an expansive leak, the true shift to a more worldly scale became more prevalent in the last few years.

The NBA MVP, perhaps the most prestigious award in the sport, has seen a foreign-born victor in each of the last five years. In context, in the first 70-odd years of the sport, just 3 people from outside the US won the award.

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However, a direct byproduct has been the relative downgrade for players from the country. As a result, a team that has regularly been THE dominant squad in every world event’s future looks uncertain.

Quick to shed some harsh words towards them was a notable Team USA reject, Gilbert Arenas. Taking shots at the entire squad, that includes names like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Anthony Edwards, Agent Zero did not hold back.

“You see that list [Steve Kerr] got? A sorry-ass group… Some of them probably don’t even start on their team”. While the world, including LeBron James, is in awe of his fellow Los Angeles Lakers sensation’s play, the former Washington Wizards star remains unimpressed. Perhaps there is a touch of vindictiveness towards his comments?

Why was Gilbert Arenas left off Team USA?

At the peak of their powers, Team USA was untouchable. Whether it was the Dream Team or the Redeem Team, their dominance on the global stage was unmatched. However, when the build for the Redeem Team of 2008 started, one name was unfortunately left off.

Despite Beaming With Pride, Gilbert Arenas’ 15YO Son Fails to Gain NBA Veteran’s Trust

While names like Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James were obvious locks, Arenas was one of the names left off the roster. Gil took an issue with it as he felt like the assistant coaches had predetermined the team.

As a result, in his matchups the following season, he singled out their teams in particular. Against both Nate McMillan and Mike D’Antoni, Arenas put up 50. Perhaps it was his way of showing what the team could have been.

Regardless, the Redeem Team was a sparkling success, dominating their way to the Gold Medal in 2008. Will the current iteration fare the same way? Or will Arenas’ words ring true?

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