The United States is experiencing a rocky start in the 3x3 basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with both men's and women's teams struggling to find their footing in their initial games. The U.S. has yet to secure a win after five combined games, casting a shadow over their early performance.
Women's Team Stumbles
The women's 3x3 team has shown unexpected vulnerability, dropping all of their opening matches against Azerbaijan, Germany, and Australia. Their latest setback came in a close 17-15 defeat to Australia on Thursday, following losses to Azerbaijan (20-17) on Wednesday and Germany (17-13) on Tuesday. This troubling start has left them at the bottom of the standings.
Veteran Cierra Burdick, who now plays in Spain for Valencia, has been a key figure on the team. Despite her leadership and credentials, including a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup alongside teammate Hailey Van Lith, the team has been unable to replicate past successes.
“I didn’t think it was going to be that ugly,” Burdick admitted following their loss to Germany, a telling indication of the team's current struggles. The squad, which also includes WNBA stars Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks and Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, is working hard to regain its composure and competitive edge.
Men's Team Faces Tough Competition
Meanwhile, the men's 3x3 team, making their Olympic debut, has also encountered significant challenges. They narrowly lost to Poland 19-17, followed by a more decisive 22-14 defeat at the hands of Serbia. The U.S. men's team, which finished second to Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, had high hopes, but those hopes have been tempered by the stiff competition they have faced so far.
The roster, led by Jimmer Fredette, a six-season NBA veteran, includes Dylan Travis, Canyon Barry, and Kareem Maddox. Reflecting on their disappointing start, Fredette remained optimistic: “It’s a long tournament for us, and we’re excited to get back at it tomorrow.”
The format of 3x3 basketball is a significant departure from the traditional game, featuring a half-court setup and a quick-paced 10-minute game format. Scoring is also streamlined, with baskets counting for one or two points, adding a layer of strategic complexity to the contests.
Hopes for Redemption
It's important to remember that each 3x3 team has seven games scheduled in the pool round, providing both the men's and women's teams ample opportunity to turn their fortunes around. The U.S. women's 3x3 team, after all, won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a reminder of their capability and potential for a comeback.
The broader context of U.S. women's basketball also provides a hopeful backdrop. The USA women's 5x5 team, boasting an undefeated Olympic record since 1992 and aiming for their eighth consecutive gold medal, serves as an emblem of American prowess on the basketball court. Featured players like A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and the legendary Diana Taurasi, competing in her sixth Olympic Games, underscore the high standards set by U.S. basketball.
For now, the focus remains on the 3x3 teams as they navigate the challenges of this fast-paced and physically demanding format. With key players like Hamby, Howard, Van Lith, and Burdick on one side, and Fredette, Travis, Barry, and Maddox on the other, the potential for improvement is evident. The determination and skill that brought them to this stage will be pivotal as they strive to reverse their fortunes in the upcoming games.
The journey through the pool rounds promises to be a test of resilience and adaptability, with the hope that both teams will find their rhythm and make a significant impact as the tournament progresses.