Paul George: USA Can't Continue To Keep Playing Like This

[RealGM Wiretap]

The United States defeated Serbia by a final score of just 94-91 one game after also being seriously challenged by Australia.

“I don't know if two years ago was easy,” Kyrie Irving recalled. “It’s just – we’ve just got to find our rhythm. And once we do that, we’ll be all right.”

The United States' defense has been challenged by both Australia and Serbia.

“As good as we are, we can’t continue to keep playing like this,” Paul George said. “We’re still scoring 100 points taking one-on-five shots, but we’re too good for that. The toughest part is that each and every one of us is confident with the ball in our hands that we can make those shots. It just comes down to a trust factor, not letting one guy have that feeling that he has to do it alone."

Via Sam Amick/USA Today

[Hakimbrook]

Good good. The assumption's always been Team USA will win it all in every competition they take part and that makes watching them uninteresting. So now that Serbia has nearly taught them some lesson, I guess the assumption shall now wear off.

[luss54321]

Ah what a perfect opportunity to roast all these great players.

The biggest issue for USA right now is Klay Thompson. It's time for him to ride the bench and give his minutes to the better player, Jimmy Butler.

Klay is shooting 31% FG with 8 total assist and 4 turnovers
Jimmy is shooting 45% FG with 5 total assists and 0 turnovers.

I know it's a small sample size, but a change needs to be made before it's too late. The only other guys playing that poorly on offense are Kyle Lowry and Draymond Green, not surprisingly.

Kyle Lowry is shooting 30% FG and has played terrible in big games his entire career. He shoots below 40% every year in the playoffs. It's a proven fact at this point. Draymond Green is also shooting 30 % FG thus far.

Last but not least, Cousins (10 TO), Durant (8 TO), and DeRozan (7 TO) need to stop turning the ball over. Cousins also leads the team in PF by a wide margin with 19. He's not getting a lot of shot attempts, so you have to wonder why he's even out there. Special shout out to DeAndre Jordan for knocking down 12/27 FT's (44%), a 7% increase from his NBA playoff total of 22/59 (37%). Way to step up big man.