Popovich On Expectations Of Team USA

The fallout from Team USA’s performance in the World Cup continues and Gregg Popovich has weighed in again, saying it’s “arrogant” to expect the US to win everything every time:

“Some people want to play the blame game. There’s no blame to be placed anywhere … like we should be ashamed because we didn’t win a gold medal? That’s a ridiculous attitude. It’s immature. It’s arrogant, and it shows that whoever thinks that doesn’t respect all the other teams in the world.”

Entirely correct.

He also addressed the absent NBA stars saying “everyone’s got a life,” which is a different tack from what USA Basketball chief Jerry Colangelo said the other day when he suggested he would remember those who bailed on their commitment to the project.

We fundamentally agree with Popovich here and obviously he knows a lot more than we do. But we will stick with our basic argument that a US team with experience, defined roles and 12 of our very best, most athletic players, can attack in a way that no other national team can approach.

And if you attack - audacity, audacity, always audacity! - as the old saying goes - your chances are certainly better. There’s not a team in the world that can disrupt an offense and get out on the subsequent break like the US can.

We look forward to seeing what Pops can do with a loaded roster in the 2020 Tokyo games.