Team USA Finishes Fourth

All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put humpdy dumpty back together again. The truth is Team USA came out of the carton with plenty of cracks. But once the players realized they could be beaten, their shell was irreparably shattered.

The Americans played without Jaren Jackson Jr, Paolo Banchero, and Brandon Ingram (again) due to illness against Canada but that's no excuse for the loss. In many ways the game was emblematic of the entire tournament. Team USA got down early as a result of giving its opponent too many good looks from three. Like they have all summer, the boys fought back and made it a game in the second half. The run was capped by a Haliburton three that tied the game at 94 in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Up 111-107 with four seconds left, it looked like Team Canada had the game won. RJ Barrett fouled Mikal Bridges, sending him to the line for two free throws. Bridges needed to make the first, miss the second, get the rebound and hit a three... and that's exactly what he did.

Bridges' heroics sent the game to OT, where Canada regained control and never looked back. Kerr went all-in on small ball, playing with Josh Hart as the de facto center in winning time. When he fouled out, Kerr replaced Hart with Brunson. Candidly the gambit was dictated by the absence of three forwards – and it almost paid off – but it also speaks to the short supply of difference making bigs on the roster.

With the tournament in the books, it's time for the players to return home and start prepping for the season. Hopefully the experience was one of growth for the Pacers who participated.

Speaking of participating Pacers...

Theis, Germany Win Gold

Germany completed an unbeaten run in the tournament and took home the big prize. While Dennis Schroeder was the team (and tourney) MVP, Daniel Theis was an invaluable cog in the machine. He finished with two points, four rebounds, and two assists in the final, but those modest stats belie his major contribution to winning.

Next stop: training camp... which somehow starts in a little over two weeks. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun!