Apparently the US team has some things to sort out before heading to Paris.
According to the Daily Mail, the superstar-studded team heading to the 2024 Summer Olympics is plagued by “egos and other nonsense.”
“There are egos within the team and everyone is only thinking about their own interests and not the interests of the team as a whole,” a source told the outlet. “If everyone doesn't change their mindset, this can and will be a disaster. They have to play as a team.”
The United States narrowly beat Australia, 98-92, in a warm-up match on Monday, but many are questioning whether the team can gel to win a fifth consecutive gold medal.
“They were not in good form and their weaknesses were being exploited. A lot of the international teams have been playing together for a long time and are more united, so they have a good chance of beating the US team,” a source told the Daily Mail.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, the U.S. had given up 68 points in the paint and committed 18 turnovers.
It wasn't a gold medal-worthy performance, and coach Steve Kerr was painfully aware of that.
“We don't have the continuity that a team like Australia has,” he said after the match. “That means we have to adapt pretty quickly over the course of a few weeks. It takes a bit of time to become a team. We will get there. It's a good lesson for us. Better to learn now than later.”
Still, expectations for a team featuring NBA superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry could be tough if the problems persist.
“If they lose, they'll be criticized forever. They're supposed to be the best in the world, so they need to act like it and not let egos and other crap take over what should automatically be done,” the source said. “They need to take control or the walls will start closing in.”
“If USA Basketball loses, this would be a disaster, and many in USA Basketball are already worried.”
The team will open the Olympics on July 28 against Serbia.
