FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 global ambassador Carmelo Anthony believes that Team USA’s shocking loss to Germany in the semifinals is beneficial for the sport of basketball.
Anthony, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, expressed the view that the defeat of the basketball powerhouse last night would prompt other nations to reconsider their approach to such tournaments.
“That’s good for FIBA, for basketball, for the fans, letting everyone know that the rest of the world is here to play, and now everyone has to think differently about how to win a gold medal,” said USA basketball’s most decorated Olympian.
“It is what it is. I mean, players are improving, and the game is growing globally,” he added.
The Americans, who entered the game as clear favorites, endured a heartbreaking 113-11 loss to the Mannschaft, which eliminated them from contention and relegated them to the bronze medal match against Canada.
Anthony, who watched the game live at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, was candid in his assessment.
He also pointed out that even Canada’s 95-86 loss to Serbia was considered an upset, given that the Road Warriors boasted seven NBA players on their roster.
Meanwhile, USA’s defeat made history as Germany’s 113-point total was the highest ever conceded by any USA team.
Anthony also commended Germany, as well as Serbia, for their success against teams with abundant NBA talent.
“It is an upset, let’s just be quite frank. We don’t want to sugarcoat it, it’s an upset. When you have that gold standard, that’s what we’re reaching [for], that’s our goal, so anything other than that is an upset, right? So I don’t want nobody to kind of sugarcoat that,” said Anthony.
“The USA [loss] was an upset, you gotta tip off your hat off to Serbia, those guys had a hell of a game, Germany had a hell of a game so, those are upsets. Let’s accept that, that’s good for the sport.”
