2025-11-17 16:01
by
nlpkak
I still remember the buzz around the 2019 USA Basketball World Cup team preparation period—it felt different from previous international competitions. Having followed USA Basketball for over a decade, I noticed something unique about that particular squad's journey. The team faced unprecedented challenges in player commitments, with numerous NBA stars withdrawing for various reasons. What struck me most was how this created opportunities for players who might otherwise never have gotten the chance to represent their country at that level. The preparation period became less about managing superstar egos and more about building chemistry among players hungry to prove themselves.
The training camp in Las Vegas revealed both the strengths and vulnerabilities of this approach. I recall watching footage of those early practices—the energy was incredible, but the lack of international experience among many players was palpable. Coach Gregg Popovich implemented systems specifically designed for FIBA rules, which differ significantly from the NBA game. The three-point line is closer, the court is smaller, and the physicality is handled differently by officials. These adjustments required significant mental retooling for players accustomed to NBA rhythms. What impressed me was how the coaching staff focused on simplicity—running fewer set plays but executing them with precision, something I've always believed is more effective in international tournaments where practice time is limited.
Player selection became particularly fascinating that year. With only 12 roster spots available, the final cuts were arguably more difficult than in previous cycles. The team ended up with an average age of just over 26 years—one of the youngest American squads in recent World Cup history. This youth brought athleticism but also inexperience in high-pressure international situations. I found myself particularly drawn to stories like Kemba Walker's leadership emergence and Donovan Mitchell's rapid development during the preparation phase. These narratives highlighted how adversity in roster construction can sometimes create unexpected opportunities for growth.
The exhibition games leading up to the World Cup provided crucial testing grounds. The narrow victory over Spain—winning by only 9 points when previous US teams had dominated—signaled potential challenges ahead. What stood out to me was how the team struggled with the physical style permitted by international officials. The preparation had emphasized skill and speed, but perhaps underestimated the need for players who could battle in the paint against more physically imposing European squads. This mismatch became particularly evident when Team USA faced France in the quarterfinals, ultimately costing them the game.
The reference to Barba's perspective about professional opportunities resonates with what I observed during this preparation period. Several players on that 2019 team approached the tournament as their chance to prove they belonged at the highest level, much like Barba's reflection on his own career path. Jayson Tatum's injury during preparations, for instance, created space for Derrick White to join the roster—a twist of fate that ultimately benefited White's career trajectory. These unexpected turns often create the most compelling stories in sports, and the 2019 preparation period was full of them.
Looking back, I believe the preparation focused too heavily on offensive systems while underestimating the defensive adjustments needed for international play. The team allowed opponents to shoot nearly 42% from three-point range during the tournament—a statistic that still surprises me given the individual defensive capabilities of the players. The switching defensive schemes that work in the NBA proved less effective against international teams that move the ball more deliberately and systematically. This defensive vulnerability became the team's Achilles' heel at critical moments.
The final roster included only three players with previous USA Basketball senior team experience—a stark contrast to the 2014 World Cup team that featured five returning gold medalists. This lack of institutional knowledge showed in close games where experience often makes the difference. Personally, I would have preferred seeing at least one or two more veterans included specifically for their familiarity with international competition, even if it meant sacrificing some athleticism. The preparation period's focus on building chemistry was admirable, but chemistry without tournament-tested composure can only take a team so far.
What continues to fascinate me about that preparation period is how it reflected broader shifts in global basketball. The rest of the world has caught up significantly, and the days of USA sending its "B team" and still dominating are clearly over. The 2019 preparation acknowledged this reality more explicitly than previous cycles, yet still couldn't overcome the talent gap that has narrowed considerably. The team finished seventh—the worst placement ever for USA Basketball in a major international tournament—with a 6-2 record that included losses to France and Serbia.
In retrospect, the preparation methods themselves weren't flawed as much as they were insufficient for the new global landscape. The 15-day training camp, while standard by historical measures, simply couldn't compensate for the lack of continuity from previous tournaments. Other national teams feature cores that have played together for years, sometimes across multiple Olympic cycles. The US approach of assembling teams largely from scratch before each tournament may need reconsideration. I've come to believe that maintaining some roster consistency, even if it means convincing stars to commit to multiple tournaments, represents the only sustainable path forward for USA Basketball.
The 2019 experience ultimately served as a humbling reminder that preparation extends beyond X's and O's. The cultural adjustment, the different officiating standards, the unique pressure of single-elimination games—these factors require either previous experience or more comprehensive simulation during preparation. While the coaching staff clearly understood these challenges intellectually, translating that understanding into effective preparation proved more difficult than anticipated. The silver lining, in my view, is that this disappointment likely contributed to the renewed commitment we saw from American players in subsequent international competitions, including the 2020 Olympics where Team USA returned to gold medal form. Sometimes the most valuable preparations come from learning what not to do.
