Despite Team USA’s failure to earn even a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton would like to keep playing for the program, writes George Efkarpides of Eurohoops. The Paris Olympics next summer would mark the next big opportunity to do so.
“If they want me back, it’s a no-brainer for me,” Haliburton said of a return to Team USA. “You want to end on a high note; we didn’t do that, so it’s obviously disappointing. But it was a fun experience. Every time you can play for the USA, it’s a privilege and an honor.”
Haliburton, a reserve for the U.S. behind Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, proved to be a key contributor for the club. His passing and scoring were critical contributions for the Americans this summer, though they fell far short of their ambitions.
There’s more from the Team USA fallout:
- Haliburton may have some company from another Team USA comrade in the future. Nets small forward Mikal Bridges indicated after the club’s 127-118 overtime loss to Team Canada that he would be open to an encore appearance for his country in international play, writes Aris Barkas of Eurohoops. “I think I will never say no, it’s an honor every time,” Bridges said. “No matter the result, I wouldn’t trade those six weeks. The biggest thing is the relationship we built. That’s what I take away from this.”
- Although Team USA has won the gold medal in its last four consecutive Olympic appearances, it has failed to enjoy that same success during the FIBA World Cup, which it hasn’t won in nine years. Noting that the club’s roster will have more decorated players at the Olympics in Paris next summer, Joe Vardon of The Athletic pinpoints problems with defense and rebounding as the biggest reasons behind the club’s failure this summer.
I think Haliburton should have started for this team. He’s a bigger guard. That in it self causes problems. But more important he’s a better ast guy. Love Jalen and have always said his ast needs to be better. This and playing the bigs Together more was the difference imo. Haliburton as team player here. Is better both ways. Jalen would have been better as a punch of offense behind Haliburton.
I agree with this in at least a couple of the matchups. I said the same thing. Especially against Canada, where they had some size across the board, I dont know Brunson made sense against them
This loss by our USA guys hopefully sends a message to all our NBA coaches that team play wins.
The US didn’t lose because they weren’t playing as a team. They lost because they had too many holes to fill, in order to compete, when it really mattered.
Gosh if only they had some players to fill those holes too bad the nba isn’t filled with people from the US
Time to bring out the big guns in Paris.
morant would give em a shooters chance.
The US did way better than last world cup. I actually really liked the roster, though for 1 of the first times, I have to question some of the rotation decisions in certain matchups. I dont think Canada could have guarded Banchero at the 5, and I dont get why Cam Jonshon didnt play more. The US had great wing/4 depth, and didn’t really use it, and got beat in those areas. I also dont think Brunson made sense against the size across the board.
I will say the defense wasnt what it probably should have been with this roster either. They gave guys way too much space, didnt make them feel the US, and were terrible on close outs
I did think the officiating was a little one sided the last couple of quarters at least. They let Canada be more physical than they let the US, and officiated Dillon Brooks like he’s James Harden…
Finally, the missed FTs in big moments killed them. Bridges had that and 1, but then missed the FT to put them up 3, and then I think Edward’s also kissed a big FT near the end of regulation, both of those would have won the US the game. The frustrating sloppiness in OT mattered, but not much you can do about that
O and also, Tyrese Haliburton had 3 possessions that were the worst possessions I’ve ever seen him play, ever. He tried to be the hero for some reason, when he almost never plays like that. Granted, I saw him make a similar shot against the Heat, directly in front of me, at the end of a game last season, but that was a situation that made no sense to do on a stage like this when you have other options on the floor with you