Team USA’s group of young NBA talent couldn’t finish the job in the semifinals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Germany continued its undefeated run with some very solid performances from their current and former NBA talents, such as Isaac Bonga, Dennis Schroder, and Daniel Theis.
Theis had one of the best games of his FIBA career, outscoring and outrebounding Jaren Jackson Jr., Bobby Portis, and Paolo Banchero (via StatMuse).
Big men today:
Daniel Theis
— 21 PTS | 7 REBJaren, Paolo and Portis Jr combined
— 19 PTS | 7 REB pic.twitter.com/gKrtt4gwnS— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 8, 2023
The Indiana Pacers PF/C shined with 21 points and seven boards, while his NBA colleagues combined for 19 points and seven rebounds.
Size and physicality were major issues for the Americans throughout the course of the entire tournament.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jackson was exposed more often than not, struggling to make his presence felt on the glass, and getting into foul trouble.
Banchero was solid as an offensive catalyst and floor-spacer, but he couldn’t get much done on the defensive end of the floor.
As for Portis, he gave the team some bursts of energy off the bench, but nothing remarkable.
One can only wonder whether Walker Kessler would’ve done a better job, granted that he’s a strong, physical, defensive-minded big man and outstanding rim protector, yet he barely played in the tournament.
Now, Team USA and Canada will square off for the bronze medal match, while Theis and Germany will look to finish the tournament undefeated when they meet a tough and physical Serbian team that reached the final without Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic.
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