After being part of the first loss in over 150 games dating back to 2006, Team USA rebounded vs Canada on Monday in preparation for the FIBA World Cup. Will any of the four Boston Celtics’ players step up, show pride and take a leadership role?
Team USA (led by several Boston Celtics) defeated America’s Hat this morning, winning by 16 and ending any doubts of a losing streak. With their loss and defensive breakdowns against the Patty Mills led Australian’s came a lot of negative talk about this group. It’s basically unheard of for the Americans to lose in international basketball, never mind to Australia.
If you’re one of the millions of people who have read my blogs in the past (about the Celtics) you know I’m an optimist and not quick to scream “the sky is falling.” It took me four straight stinkers from Kyrie Irving to finally jump ship off of his bandwagon and offer to drive him to Logan Airport. To semi-quote Allen Iverson, “we talking ’bout practice (games).”
Unlike most of the international teams, this American squad hasn’t practiced or played with each other much. They went to Las Vegas to assemble the roster at the beginning of August and now it’s August 26th. Coach Popovich is doing his job of figuring out line ups and rotations and has always been a coach and human who never likes to give anything away. I mean, have you ever seen his press conferences or in-game interviews?
This squad is young and doesn’t have the experience that the past teams have. With that first loss since 2006, it should allow for some players to step up and take leadership roles. Would any of the Boston Celtics be the ones to step up? You would have to think these guys are all prideful professionals who don’t want to be the laughing stock of USA Basketball either.
In this morning’s victory over Canada, Jaylen Brown led the way with 19 points on 8-11 shooting off of the bench. Captain Kemba Walker started and had 12 points. His new Boston Celtics teammate, Jayson Tatum also started and chipped in with six points, while not having his best shooting game, going 2-11 from the field. Marcus Smart, making his way back from injury, had three steals in 17 minutes off of the bench.
I think basketball fans that enjoy international basketball gave out a collective sigh of relief and are hoping this scrimmage will help build some momentum heading into the weekend. The red, white and blue open up the FIBA World Cup games this Sunday against the Czech Republic, which shouldn’t pose much of a threat. This team has a few more practices to really figure out the rotation, get their defense in check and look at each other and decide who wants to step up and lead this team.
I believe that (Coach) Pop kept Smart on this team for a reason (through his injury) and will hope that he can be that defensive leader off of the bench and establish a defensive mindset and presence when called upon. Kemba was named Captain for a reason as well and is the most veteran player on the team. As a Green Team member, I think that if these guys can light a fire under the butts of the rest of the team, then this team can make a splash over the weekend and in this tournament.
Most would say it’s “gold medal or bust” but I don’t see it that way. I would be extremely happy with a gold medal (obviously) but I’m more so looking to see these Boston Celtics players step up, continue to build chemistry and play some really good basketball with each other. I know (other than Kemba) the Celtics on this roster show quite an abundance of Celtic Pride during the season.
I’m hoping that rubs off on him, but also these guys show pride to win a gold for their country too. Remember, training camp is right around the corner!