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Team USA's attempt to secure a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup came to an end on Friday with a 113-111 loss to Germany in the semifinals of the knockout rounds. The Americans had no issues scoring the basketball but, unfortunately for Steve Kerr and company, they were unable to get the job done on the defensive end of the floor as Germany had six players score in double figures, with three eclipsing the 20-point plateau.
With the loss, Team USA will now face off against Canada on Sunday in the bronze medal game. While this is a matchup that many fans wanted to see during this tournament, the fact that it will not occur in the championship game is certainly a disappointment. By virtue of their win, Germany will move on to face off against Serbia for the right to claim a gold medal on Sunday.
Here are three takeaways following Team USA's loss to Germany.
1. Defense optional for Team USA
First off, hats off to Germany. The Germans came out firing on all cylinders and looked like the better team for most of the game. Shots were falling, the effort was there and aside from that late-game scare down the stretch, the momentum was in their hands for most of the game. However, that was in part because of some poor defense from Team USA, which once again struggled to keep its opponent off the offensive glass.
Germany finished that game with 12 offensive boards and completely bulldozed USA in second-chance points 25-8. But that wasn't the only issue. As a whole, the defense was lackluster from Team USA, which allowed Germany to shoot 58% from the field and 43% from deep. In the first half, many of Germany's shots came without a defender within arm's reach, which is in part why Germany had six scorers finish with 10 or more points. Too many times did we see Dennis Schroder drive to the rim and kick it out to an open shooter in the corner or on the wing, and more often than not they'd knock the shot down.
The other issue was the lack of size, which is more of a roster construction thing that the U.S. can learn from as it prepares for the 2024 Olympics next summer. There's really no reason why Daniel Theis should've finished with 21 points when you have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the frontcourt in Jaren Jackson Jr. Brandon Ingram not playing certainly didn't help with USA's size issue, but you have 7-footer Walker Kessler sitting on the bench with fresh legs, see if he can go in there and make a difference.
2. Have a day, Franz Wagner
It's safe to say that Team USA perhaps underestimated Germany, and Wagner made sure to show them why they've been undefeated throughout this tournament. If you haven't watched much of Orlando Magic basketball over the past two seasons, then you've missed Wagner's excellent play on both ends of the floor. As a rookie, he was making an impact on the defensive end of the ball, while being a versatile forward who can score at all three levels. He upped his averages across the board last season with the Magic, and should be in line to make that always talked about "third-year leap."
Against the Americans, he already showed hints of that leap with his efficient offensive play. Wagner was taking it straight to defenders, whether that was attacking the rim off the bounce for a dunk, pulling up for a mid-range jumper or nailing a 3-pointer. Team USA didn't have an answer for him all game long, and he finished with 22 points, five rebounds and two assists. If this is any indication of what to expect from him next season with the Magic, then we're in store for some exciting basketball down in Orlando with him and Paolo Banchero.
3. We're getting USA vs. Canada after all...
Many were hoping for this matchup in the gold medal game, and while that might've been too presumptuous these are the two teams with the most NBA talent in the tournament. Instead, though, we'll be getting this for the bronze medal game, and while some of the allure is gone, it should still be an exciting matchup. Anthony Edwards vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alone is enough reason to tune in, and while both teams have already qualified for next summer's Olympic games, both sides will certainly be motivated in order to still place and hold some bragging rights in the always classic USA vs. Canada rivalry.
Team USA will face Canada for a bronze medal on Sunday at 4:30 a.m. ET.
