Team USA vs. Lithuania, USA advances to FIBA World Cup quarterfinals

Team USA has been in some adverse situations in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but this isn't one of them.

This is an ode to an old LeBron James quote, and it's an appropriate one. It is easy to have a sharp reaction whenever the always-favored Americans lose in international play. And they sure as heck lost to Lithuania on Sunday, 110-104.

But it should be understood this is not a crisis or some kind of challenge that was unexpected. The Americans are managing a glaring weakness that has been a glaring weakness all along.

The U.S. is small and boy did Lithuania take advantage. The Americans have been small for years in these events. They might be small for years to come, which will be discussed in a moment.

They combat the height disadvantage with various remedies, and they usually are effective in doing so. And they could be quite effective at this again.

Lithuania have pushed the US to the limit, and beyond, more than a few times. Lithuania lost to the Americans by nine in a preliminary game at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, then escaped with a two-point win in the semi-finals – and remained unbeaten in the Dream Team Olympic era – when Sarunas Jasikevicius’ three-point try as time expired fell short.

In a game that didn’t matter much as far as medal hopes, considering both teams came into Sunday with spots secured for Tuesday’s quarter-finals, there was a lot to unpack. USA will play Italy in the last eight while Lithuania face Serbia.

Lithuania made their first nine three-point attempts and built an early 21-point lead, but it took the Americans less than five minutes of the third quarter to cut what was a 17-point halftime deficit down to four, and the comeback attempt was on. Lithuania’s lead was 71-65 going into the final 10 minutes and they would not trail the rest of the way.

The U.S. roster for this World Cup includes zero players with previous Olympic or World Cup experience and none who made an All-NBA team.

Lithuania made the quarterfinals of seven consecutive Olympics from 1992 through 2016 (with bronze medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000) then did not qualify for the Tokyo Games.

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Sarah H

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