The Paris Olympics have helped to highlight an important aspect of basketball - talent vs. teamwork.
The 2024 USA Men’s Basketball team is one of the most talented teams ever assembled. Past Olympic squads have also impressed, of course, and we catch glimpses of interesting All-Star teams for one game a year. However, this year’s Team USA has an impressive blend of veteran savvy and greatness mixed with young explosiveness and hunger. These guys are the elite of the elite.
For this reason, the U.S. is favored to win the gold, which would be their fifth in a row. Why, then, have they struggled first with Australia and then with South Sudan, one of the youngest countries in the world?
The answer primarily comes down to a mixture of teamwork and willpower.
Players from Team USA are weighed down by individual egos. But, to be fair, who can blame them? They have achieved so much because they believe in themselves and the work they have put in individually. An ego is understandable, but it can be an obstacle in the pursuit of team cohesion.
South Sudan, for example, is a team with little noticeable ego. They have a couple of guys who have appeared on NBA rosters but generally have achieved success by not forcing shots, shooting only when open, passing until attacking makes sense, and out-hustling their opponents.
Many players on Team USA frankly desire to look cool. They know they should be the best, so they sometimes do not focus on winning plays but on plays that will stand out on Instagram reels.
The USA has not lost an exhibition or Olympic game yet. Talent can undoubtedly erase many mistakes, especially when the talent is monumental, as in the USA's case.
However, the narrative has not been the dominance of Team USA, as we might have expected by now. Instead, it is the young talent of Australia, the dawg in South Sudan, and Germany's fluid and balanced offense. We all want to watch the talented team USA, but we have also been treated to a taste of what the power of teamwork can do.
Luckily for you, you probably don’t ever have to play against a team that includes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and the Celtics' stifling backcourt. The talent gap you face will most likely be smaller than that.
So imagine what teamwork can do for you. Unselfish passing, defensive intensity, aggressive rebounding, smart shot selection, shared passion for the game, and desire to win are things that do not require physical gifts. You and your teammates can significantly elevate yourselves with the right mindset and work ethic.
Naturally, we know a place where you can not only work on intangibles but grow your talent as well. Reach out to The Basketball Movement for both individual and group skill development training to elevate your team.
Also, keep watching these Olympic games. Take note of what makes possessions work—not necessarily Steph Curry’s 40-footers or Kevin Durant’s skyscraping turnarounds. See what other teams do to score against Team USA and some of the most capable defenders in the world. Never stop learning the game, and never underestimate the power of teamwork.