Team USA has been utterly dominant throughout this tournament. When I wrote that this team would not win the FIBA World Cup, I honestly thought their competition would exploit their weaknesses as the talent level rose in the knockout rounds. That simply has not happened. On Thursday, Lithuania held firm with the Americans through the half, even out-rebounding them at halftime. However, a trademark third quarter spurt extended the US lead from 8 to 27, and the rest was history. A chippy game altogether, James Harden and Klay Thompson came through to lead this team to the Finals, where they face the winner of France versus Serbia for the gold medal.
Kenneth Faried said that he wanted to face Spain in the finals, but I’m sure team USA is happy to have a shot at whoever it will be. Frankly, France upsetting Spain in the quarterfinals is a huge break, because from a matchup standpoint Spain had the edge at a couple of key positions. Team USA surely has their work cut out for them no matter who they play, but for now, let’s take a look at how this team has played individually in this tournament. Like in most grading systems, 0 is the worst, and 10 is the best:
DeMarcus Cousins - 7
Cousins has not had a very large role in this team, coming off the bench in spurts and only averaging 13.5 minutes per game. However, he has played well in those minutes, spelling Anthony Davis and being solid defensively and on the glass. Team USA will be happy with 9.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg from someone who many thought might not even make the team.
Stephen Curry - 7
Curry has done his job here in Spain, knocking down 46% from beyond the arc and having the third-most assists on the team. His defense has been lacking at times, but he still has averaged one and a half steals per game. His offensive spurts have boosted team USA when they needed it, and he has shown he can handle his expanded role in this world cup.
Anthony Davis - 9
Davis is unquestionably the leader and face of this team, and he has played like it. The youngster was the steadying force in the early games when this team was still trying to gel, showing that the experience he got in the 2012 London Olympics paid off. He has been a beast, averaging 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, with some emphatic alley-oops and rejections. He has been outmatched in the post at times, but makes up for it with athleticism and excellent timing. Easily the MVP of this team.
DeMar DeRozan - 5
It’s not DeRozan’s fault he is playing behind some of the best guards in the world. Coming off the bench, DeRozan has provided a nice spark, but most of his work has been in mop up duty. Still, it must be comforting to Coach K that he has so much athleticism off the bench in case he ever needs it.
Andre Drummond - 3
Perhaps Drummond’s game does not translate well into international play, but everyone knows the reason he was brought on this team. In case they ever ran into the Gasol brothers, team USA would absolutely need his size. As it stands, he has not played much, save for some fourth quarter duty as well.
Kenneth Faried – 8
The “Manimal” has come through for team USA in a huge way. Averaging almost 8 rebounds per game, his work on the offensive boards has kept the team in some games early on that could have entered the danger zone. At times this team has struggled to shoot well, and Faried has been there to fix everything. Faried’s energy has injected this team with the life it needed, and he is another major reason why this team has been able to pull away in most of these games.
Rudy Gay - 6
It would be unfair to expect Gay to fill any of the role that Paul George would have played, but Gay has fared reasonably well with this stint on team USA. Coming off the bench as well, Gay has knocked down some timely threes and provided a presence on the glass. He has played well enough to garner consistent rotation minutes, and for this team that’s all they really need from him.
James Harden – 7
Harden has caught a lot of flack for his subpar defensive showings here at this world cup. This is understandable on some levels, but everyone knows that he is at his best with the ball in his hands. That has shown in this tournament, with him leading the team in scoring as well as being fractionally behind the lead in assists. He scores in bunches, as his 16 points in the third quarter against Lithuania showed, and has sparked many a team USA rally. His shooting percentage is down from where he probably wants it, but overall a solid effort from the beard and the man wearing it.
Kyrie Irving - 7
Irving is the team leader in assists for a stacked bunch of scorers. He has been at his best, though, when he is attacking the rim and drawing defenders in the paint. Irving has the propensity to go one-on-one a little bit too often in this international style, but overall his offense has been good enough. He has averaged two steals per game as well, and we all know how much this bunch likes to run.
Mason Plumlee - 4
Plumlee was a surprise inclusion into this squad, perhaps filling the role of 2012 Anthony Davis. He did not get too much run off the bench, but did play some meaningful minutes in the earlier rounds. He is athletic and active on the offensive glass, and has played okay in the minutes he has gotten. Clearly the 11th man on this squad, he will be looking to the future for more meaningful time on Team USA.
Derrick Rose - 5
By his standards, Derrick Rose has not had a very good tournament. Perhaps the media was a little bit too high on Rose after his stellar showing in the games leading up to this tournament, but here in Spain he has struggled with turnovers and his shot. Against Slovenia, Rose busted out with his best effort yet, and team USA will need him at his best in the finals. All in all, Chicago Bulls fans must be happy he has made it through this much competitive basketball without getting injured *knocks on wood*.
Klay Thompson – 8
Thompson has been perhaps the most important player on this team, if not the most valuable. Many thought he would not make the squad in favor of Kyle Korver, but his defense is ultimately what set him apart. Still able to knock down the open shot, he has averaged 41% from beyond the arc for the third most points on the team at 12.8. His defense has been excellent as well, as he has averaged the second most blocks on the team. His grit and toughness has inspired better defensive play from everyone, and he has been an important piece to this puzzle.
Team USA faces the winner of France versus Slovenia on Sunday afternoon, and we will see if this team has what it takes to bring the gold medal home. They certainly have proved me wrong along the way, and I hope they prove me wrong once again to win this tournament.