As the Basketball World Cup kicks off in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan, the United States enters the tournament with redemption on their minds. After finishing seventh in the previous World Cup and losing their 12-year reign atop the men’s national-team world rankings, the U.S. is determined to return to the top of the podium.
With a roster made up of 12 NBA players, the U.S. team is favored to win the tournament. However, they are well aware that only a gold medal will satisfy expectations. Anything less will be seen as a failure. U.S. coach Steve Kerr acknowledges the pressure but embraces the challenge, stating, We’re going to compete. We’re going to play as hard as we can. We’re going to try to win a gold medal. If we don’t, we understand there will be plenty of criticism and we’re OK with that.
The U.S. team faces stiff competition from other nations. France, who won bronze in the previous World Cup, believes they are in a position to win gold this time. Slovenia boasts Luka Doncic, one of the tournament’s top players, while Canada and Australia have strong contingents of NBA players. The defending champions, Spain, cannot be counted out either.
The tournament begins with eight games on Friday, followed by eight more on Saturday. Local officials in Manila, Philippines, are hoping for a record-breaking attendance of more than 40,000 people for the Philippines’ game against the Dominican Republic. This would surpass the previous World Cup record set in 1994 when the U.S. beat Russia in front of 32,616 spectators in Toronto.
For the Philippines, hosting the tournament is a source of immense pride. Coach Chot Reyes considers it a special opportunity and reminds himself and his team of the significance of the moment. Other nations, although considered underdogs, are ready to give their all to advance in the tournament, even against formidable opponents like Slovenia.
The opening games present intriguing matchups, including Serbia versus China. Serbian coach Sasha Djordjevic, who previously coached Serbia and is now with China, expressed the emotional nature of the game for him, as he faces his former team. The U.S. coach, Steve Kerr, also reflects on his personal connection to the tournament, having won the World Cup as a college player in 1986.
Overall, the Basketball World Cup promises intense competition and showcases the immense talent in basketball from around the world. While the U.S. team enters as favorites, they must deliver gold to meet expectations. However, with strong contenders like France, Slovenia, and Spain, the road to redemption will be challenging. Fans can expect thrilling games and memorable performances from the world’s best basketball players.
