Former Lakers Champion Shares Opinion on Team USA’s World Cup Loss

An interesting take on their disappointing finish.

After failing to medal at the FIBA World Cup despite some sky-high expectations for their usually dominant international team, Team USA's roster received a massive reality check at this summer's tournament. 

Although many have chimed in with their thoughts about the American roster's failure to mesh well enough to even medal, one former Los Angeles Lakers NBA champion may have the most unique perspective as to why the team failed on the international stage. Now-Washington Wizards power forward Kyle Kuzma took to Twitter/X to weigh in:

USA basketball better get some nba stars that know how to play a role. Anybody can be nice with the ball in their hands but can you be cool with defending and going to the corner for a few possessions?

— kuz (@kylekuzma) September 12, 2023

While it's not a new topic of conversation to bring up the relative lack of star power and the youth on the American FIBA roster for this year's tourney, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who took a similar angle to Kuzma on the issue. 

Pairing together All-NBA talent for the Olympics has always been a priority for the USA, including the 2020 Tokyo Games where Kevin Durant and Bam Adebayo among others helped guide the USA to their expected gold medal at the event. 

With many stars declining to accept the invitation to the World Cup this season for either rest purposes or plain disinterest for international competition, many compared Team USA's roster to a JV level high school team compared to the nation's available talent pool. 

Though many current All-NBA level talents have expressed interest in aiding the country on the hardwood after the disappointing finish, for Anthony Edwards, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Austin Reaves among others it's nothing short of failure for a country expected to dominate on the court. 

Even if this loss sparks a similar renaissance of the NBA's best joining the fight to get some international revenge a la 2008's Redeem Team and 1992's Dream Team, such a loss will likely sting those on the current roster for a long time. 

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!