Team USA has some things to sort out before heading to Paris, apparently.
The superstar-laden team heading to the 2024 Summer Olympics is plagued by “ego and other BS” according to The Daily Mail.
“The ego that lies within the team, everyone is out for their own and not for the team as a whole,” a source told the outlet. “That can and will be a disaster if they all don’t change the thought process, they have to play like a team.”
On Monday, the Americans barely squeezed past Australia, 98-92, in a tune-up game, causing many to question if the team can pull together for a fifth straight gold medal.
“They haven’t looked good and have been exposed, and many international teams that have played together longer are more cohesive and have a decent chance of beating the USA team,” the source told the Daily Mail.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, the U.S. had given up a whopping 68 points in the paint along with 18 turnovers.
Not exactly a gold-medal-worthy performance — something that coach Steve Kerr was painfully aware of.
“We don’t have the continuity like a team like Australia,” he said afterward. “That means we have to adapt pretty quickly, in a couple of weeks. It takes a little time to become a team. We will get there. This is a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later.”
Still, the expectations for a team that features LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards, Steph Curry and other NBA superstars could be feeling the heat if their issues persist.
“They will never hear the end of it if they lose, they are supposed to be the best in the world, (so) act like it and don’t let ego and other BS take over what should be automatic,” the source said. “They have to dominate, or the walls will start to close.
“If USA basketball loses, this will be a major disaster and many with USA basketball are already worried.”
The team takes on Serbia on July 28 to kick off Olympic play.