Kristian Winfield: After two blowouts, Team USA faces true test against Spain
It’s time for Team USA to pick on an opponent its own size — and Sunday’s upcoming matchup against international goliath Spain is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Make it two straight blowout victories for Team USA after Saturday’s 92-62 unraveling of a Slovenia team set back by Luka Doncic’s absence.
The Americans are now 2-0 in their Showcase exhibition games after a 43-point victory over Puerto Rico in the opener — with a sizable contribution from New York basketball’s representatives on the FIBA stage.
Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson seized the leadership role as Team USA’s starting point guard and finished with 11 points, eight assists and four rebounds against Slovenia on Saturday. Brunson made the play of the day, throwing an alley-oop off the backboard to Anthony Edwards, who rose up for a two-handed slam in transition.
Nets’ cornerstones Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson combined for 17 points and nine rebounds, with Johnson taking a team-high six 3s and converting on two. Johnson also had a highlight-reel moment, forcing a steal on one end, beating the opponent in a foot race to the ball then finishing at the rim in transition.
And on one possession, Brunson and Johnson made a Knicks-Nets connection: Brunson shook his defender with an in-and-out dribble and when he got to the rim, he flicked a pass to the corner where Johnson was wide-open for a corner 3.
Knicks forward Josh Hart also made his Team USA debut after resting the opener against Puerto Rico. Hart was part of head coach Steve Kerr’s early second unit, then closed the game in garbage time. He finished with five rebounds, two assists and two points. On one possession, he soared into the paint to grab an offensive rebound, then kicked the ball out to Austin Reaves, who nailed a 3 to keep Slovenia at bay.
Every player on Team USA’s roster scored, four scored in double figures and nine scored at least seven points while Doncic watched after tweaking his ankle in Slovenia’s previous game.
Team Slovenia will only go as far as the talented Dallas Mavericks’ cornerstone can push.
The Spanish national basketball team, however, is a different challenge.
Spain won gold in both the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China and the 2022 Eurobasket in Germany. Their 2023 FIBA World Cup roster features a number of past and present NBA players, though longtime point guard Ricky Rubio will miss both Olympic and NBA play for the Cleveland Cavaliers as he tackles his mental health. The Spanish team includes Memphis’ Santi Aldama, the former NBA Hernangomez brothers (Willy and Juancho), former Portland Trail Blazers star Rudy Fernandez, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Usman Garuba.
The Spanish national team is also sure to take advantage of Team USA’s biggest weakness: a lack of size in the front court.
Kerr’s starting lineup through the first two games featured Brunson, Bridges, Edwards, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. Between Bridges and Ingram, there is a good amount of defensive versatility and length, but a glaring lack of size and brute strength.
Both Puerto Rico and Slovenia were able to take advantage during crossmatches, albeit only in limited amounts. The Slovenian national team got an early first-quarter basket on a cross-match where Bridges found himself guarding a bigger and stronger player on the low block. Puerto Rico took advantage of a similar action that got George Condit IV an easy basket.
Against a team like Spain that plays inside-outside basketball, Team USA may play reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero more minutes at the four alongside Jackson at the five. Banchero had a strong performance against Slovenia, finishing with eight points, two rebounds, one block and one steal.
Team USA’s bludgeoning of Slovenia was expected, of course, given Doncic’s absence and the caliber of players on the American roster. Sunday’s matchup against Spain, however, could be anyone’s game.
The USA-Spain showdown will be the third of five Team USA Showcase exhibition games before the FIBA World Cup begins on Aug. 26.
