Team USA Steamrolled Puerto Rico And As Expected Enter The Knockout Stage As The #1 Overall Seed

Garrett Ellwood. Getty Images.

Even though the result of this game didn't matter much considering Team USA had already punched their ticket to the knockout round, that doesn't change the expectation. When Team USA steps on the floor they should dominate whoever is in their path, and that is exactly what happened today against Puerto Rico. Team USA finishes their Group Stage with an undefeated 3-0 record, the highest point differential of the tournament and the overall #1 seed as we move onto the knockout games.

Basically, exactly what we all expected to happen. 

They were never really challenged, all the games were mostly blowouts and the crazy part is Team USA still hasn't even come close to their basketball ceiling yet. I mean Steph and Tatum cannot make a 3PM to save their lives and it has legimitately not mattered one bit. Jrue Holiday didn't play today due to a rolled ankle and the defense didn't skip a beat. Sure they aren't winning every game by 30+, but make no mistake, Team USA has been dominant to start these Olympics and they still have levels to improve. That's pretty scary.

This win did a good job of showcasing what makes Team USA so devastating. Early, it was an completely balanced attack. Shot distribution was pretty even, both units were producing and after a hot Puerto Rico shooting first quarter, once Team USA punched back that was pretty much it

The issue when facing this team is you never get a break. While other countries go down a few levels once their second unit comes in, it's the exact opposite with Team USA. There's no change and if anything the second unit is even better than the starters, which feels a little unfair but oh well. Not my problem.

If the first half was about balance, the second half was all about Anthony Edwards. My lord what a second half performance from Ant, who I would say was the best player on the floor today

He had pretty much 2x the FGA as anyone else on the team, but it was warranted. This wasn't a situation where Ant was forcing things and ruining the offense with isolation. The dude was on a heater and when a player like that gets going, you feed him the ball and you get out of his way. Say what you want about his need to continue to develop in terms of reading defenses and playmaking, there's no denying Ant is about as electric as it comes when he steps on a basketball court. He can get you from deep off the dribble, he can finish in traffic, he can do windmills in transition with ease, he defends, etc. 

With him and KD on the floor together on the second unit paired with a big like Bam or AD, that has to be so deflating for opposing teams. How do you decide who to guard? Until someone answers that question, Team USA isn't going to be challenged.

Now onto some other things that stood out after this latest ass kicking

- If you didn't think he was already, Durant becoming Team USA's all time rebounding leader after already being their all time leading scorer pretty much solidifies it that he's the greatest Team USA player of all time. Sorry Melo, you had your time on top but there's a new leader in the clubhouse

- Good to see NBA Champion Jayson Tatum get back to looking like NBA Champion Jayson Tatum. Still isn't anywhere fucking close with his outside shot, but the beauty of Tatum is he literally does everything else on the court. The more he plays the more insane that DNP-CD looks, but anyone with eyes and a brain already knew that

It's been interesting to see Tatum be used more as an off ball screener considering that never ever really happens on the Celts given his on ball usage, but I sneaky don't hate it. I imagine Joe Mazzulla is watching and taking notes, because that's a new wrinkle that might be fun to see on 2025 Celts.

- I'm not sure if it's his knee or if he's just not in shape yet, but it really doesn't look like Embiid can move at all. Maybe FIBA is too quick for him? I'm not sure. He's missing his midrange jumper pretty much every time which almost never happens, and watching him move it looks like he's laboring. Embiid still needs to be better about making quick decisions and keep the ball moving, especially once Team USA starts playing better teams whether that be Germany, France, Canada etc.

- LeBron remains ridiculous

I would embed his unreal behind the back pass but NBC didn't tweet it out for some unknown reason, but the more I watch LeBron in these Games the more I just sit here and shake my head. None of this makes any sense even though we all just watched him look great during the season. LeBron going coast to coast and dunking on two people in transition should not be something that is happening anymore, yet it looks the same in 2024 as it did in 2003. You make that make any goddamn sense.

Now that the Group Stage is over, it's time to get serious. Moving forward, things are not going to be as easy as we just say Team USA deal with in their group, especially considering there are teams in the field (Germany, Canada) that play this team well and have their own collection of NBA talent who you know are going to be motivated as hell to beat this super-duper team.

3 wins down, 3 more wins to go.