After a shocking opening loss to France, Team USA need to win their next two games to advance to the next round. The Dream Team is not functioning well. The likes of Durant, Lillard and Booker couldn’t muster up an excellent performance which led to the opening day loss to France. Durant had an off day by shooting 4-12 from the field. Likewise, Damian Lillard shot bricks as well. The US team looks in disarray and needs to improve against Iran to enter the next round.

So what are the fundamental problems to address for Team USA ahead of the penultimate game?

Kevin Durant needs to bring his A-game to Tokyo Olympics 2020

Significantly, Durant’s torrid time against France was a big surprise. The small forward looked out of depth by scoring just 10 points and shooting just 1-6 beyond the arc. There was no drive, no urgency, and he ended up with a pretty lackluster performance on the court. KD needs to perform as he is their best player on the team. Instead, it seems to be a major elephant in the room that needs addressing.

Apart from KD, Damian Lillard looked like a different player in the match. Both the aforementioned players did not lead the Dream team from the front, and France had a convincing victory. Moreover, the balance of the team looks shaky with Zach LaVine in the lineup. Bringing in Devin Booker or Khris Middleton looks to be the best solution. Middleton is fresh after winning the NBA title and he can provide a much-needed balance on both ends of the court.

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Even though these are outstanding players who play in the best basketball league in the world, Olympics basketball is slightly different. Different rules and regulations prevail in the Olympics like five personal fouls or even a 10-minute quarter. France dominated this game from start to finish, and the USA looked completely out of sorts. Likewise, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Devin Booker joined the roster days before their opening game.

Jet lag? Maybe. But it’s still not an excuse. Moreover, apart from individual performances, the team lacks impetus and lacks dynamism.

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Team USA lacks team chemistry

Evan Fournier had a storming game as he scored 28 points against the US. After the game, he made a key point that made complete sense.

“They are better individually but they can be beaten as a team,” said Fournier.

The French player is right. The USA does lack team chemistry.

Notably, these French players have played with each other for several years. However, the US team lacks team chemistry, and they focus every play on individual brilliance. There was no conviction in passing the ball, weak hustle plays all-round, rebounding numbers were poor, and most of all, there seems to be a lack of determination and passion.

The effort by France was characterized by Guerschon Yabusele’s hustle play in the fourth quarter. He dived onto the ball to get an offensive rebound and tipped it to Fournier, who then knocked down a clutch three-pointer. That was the game right there. They made a 16-2 run in the last quarter. Quite clear that France played with more energy and desire.

The pressure of the earlier Dream Teams appears to have a drastic effect on the players. Teams like Spain, Australia, and even the Luka Doncic-led Slovenia look better to claim the gold medal, rather than Team USA. To sum up, countries are looking at potential weaknesses in the US team, while players need to step up their game to win their next match against Iran in Tokyo.

Like the famous saying goes, either win big or go home.

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