This could very well be a case of over-complacency. Anyone that has played the game of basketball knows it happens. You are on a team of stars and lose to a group of subs. That seems to be what happened to the USA Basketball squad in their 36-17 loss in a scrimmage against what-was-supposed-to-be inferior talent.
Marcus Smart did not participate as he is still nursing a calf issue, but he did call out his fellow-USA teammates for failing to deliver. "C'mon guys, this is embarrassing" is what he had to say to them.
Flash back to last season. The Celtics got off to a slow start and often started games the same way - sluggish. Marcus Smart was inserted into the starting lineup to inject energy right out of the gate. Boston quickly went on an 8-game winning streak. We probably would have witnessed the same effect on Team USA had he been able to play.
You can bet Gregg Popovich is not particularly thrilled with his supposed A-Team crew. I doubt we will see that lack of effort and energy again.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
Should Team USA — and Team Shamrock — worry about a 37-19 blowout? https://t.co/LK369v34SD
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 15, 2019
This team just defeated the USA Basketball squad headed to China 36-17 in a scrimmage. Are we sure we're sending the right team? https://t.co/PhB2KakEpb
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 14, 2019
Marcus Smart did not participate as he is still nursing a calf issue, but he did call out his fellow-USA teammates for failing to deliver. "C'mon guys, this is embarrassing" is what he had to say to them.
All you had to was ask. FYI, why I’m a huge Marcus Smart fan: he was the only one willing to speak up and call it for what it was. “C’mon guys, this is embarrassing!” https://t.co/uLn42V0Fme pic.twitter.com/5ie4VklgMP
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) August 14, 2019
Flash back to last season. The Celtics got off to a slow start and often started games the same way - sluggish. Marcus Smart was inserted into the starting lineup to inject energy right out of the gate. Boston quickly went on an 8-game winning streak. We probably would have witnessed the same effect on Team USA had he been able to play.
You can bet Gregg Popovich is not particularly thrilled with his supposed A-Team crew. I doubt we will see that lack of effort and energy again.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
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