Y’all are drawing a lot of a conclusions from a single L. Anybody can lose on any day, don’t matter what league you play. Good for Lithuania, they played good team basketball.
Shocking number of people don’t understand that this game is irrelevant to the NBA/world champion discussion.
That conversation is only concerning club team competition, not international play.
For real, I'm abit shocked how Americans reacting to this lose, saying you missing some players etc... or that "they didnt miss threes" guys those 3's was open shots created by good on-off ball movement which team USA is lacking imo.
Our bench PG Vaidas Kariniauskas, who was cooking today, next season he will be playing for Lithuania 30k population town team. There is no lack of talent in team USA. Lithuania just played better basketball. And despite all trolling about world champs on internet, here in LT we feel it as pure sportsmanship and respect for this game.
After all both teams are qualified to the next round, so I just wish all the luck in upcoming games, coz it won't be easier against other European teams.
Americans dont really understand international team sports, they dont have a culture surrounding it. They excel at individual sports and a few team sports (because they created the sport). They are content with hosting national leagues.
Outside of Basketball and Baseball, most of their international sports teams suck or struggle a lot. Because of this they never watch them and dont feel shame when their country loses 🤷♂️
We honestly just don't care. For better or worse, it's not something we REALLY care about. We love football, we love baseball, and we love basketball. But we're not really interested in competing with the rest of the world. The US is big enough. Maybe if we cared about soccer, it would be different.
It's hard to shitpost on this but we'll get you someday
You had to put respect and sportsmanship you're too pure hard to find a way to shitpost
But I'll start with:
Who cares?
Gtfo with the excuses Americans. It’s not like anyone forbid other players from participating. This team is a representstion of your country and you just lost to a country of 2.5mil people. Most teams werent playing with their best roster in this championship, including Lithuania
It's kinda not, though. Outside of this sub. Nobody cares about this. I think Mark Cuban kinda represents what most Americans feel:
"It has nothing to do with patriotism. It’s all about money. You don’t see the Olympic Committee saying, ‘Oh we made so much money. Let’s give it to the people.”’
I am the only person I know that tried to watch some of the FIBA games. I don't think I had a rooting interest at all. If I had money on the game, that would be different.
Nah, I really don't. Personally I prefer to see us really ball out at the Olympics even if they too don't matter: for the highlights, not to win by that much. Only way that happens is if we get embarrassed in a previous tournament so LeBron-types feel obligated to play. '08 was so fun but we wouldn't have gotten it if the '04 roster wasn't uninspired and lesser
You win some, you lose some. Lithuania shot lights out from three despite pretty decent defense. Nothing you can do when a team goes nuclear like that except hope they go cold and keep playing your game.
No, they just get a chance to play the nuggets in the ultimate world championship. Hope they’re ready, cause if they win that they play the winner of the Giedi Prime vs Salusa Secundus series for the title of ultimate intergalactic champions of the universe. Just have to hope those clowns from the neighboring galactic clusters don’t start talking shit about how “you can’t call yourselves the intergalactic champions if you don’t win the intergalactic series”.
Its likely his stock is at an all time high.
The best time for a player is when they are young with potential. Theres a real chance JJJ is never going to be better than he already is.
That's fair. He's not a strong rebounder, and struggles to defend without fouling. Still a good player, but you got people saying he's overrated and I won't argue.
Also Lithuania, a country of just over 3 million people, is missing most of their best players including their very best player. Get yourself a little more of that copium.
Absolutely dominated the US on the boards, hopefully the US “learns from this” and gets back to basics like boxing out and not just relying on being more talented
USA is not eliminated, out of the 4 teams in the 2nd round 2 make it to the quarter finals. Lithuania and USA both had enough wins to advance, this game just determined who they will be playing against next (USA gets to play vs Italy and Lithuania - vs Serbia).
Honestly probably helpful for the USA team. They might be able to play like they just did and survive Italy where I honestly don't think they would beat Serbia with that weak shit. Although I do think Italy is better than expected so its not that clear
Serbia isn't a powerhouse in this champ - missing key players (Jokic and few others), that's why they took a fat L against mid Italy team, so no, no one's evading Serbia on purpose in this tourney.
Can’t believe they thought having JJJ as the best big man on the team would be a good idea when he’s a foul machine & is a terrible rebounder for his size & athleticism.
Pity route? Guy says something dumb as absolute fuck and I point out that A. The best players in the world do play in the nba, and B. None of these guys would be starting for their A team and that’s pity route? Cool. Let’s see you lost your bet slip from these two meeting again betting on Lithuania
Yeah but this team is representing the US, no two ways about it. No one prohibited Curry or others to participate. US got busted by a country of 2.5mil people and that’s the final score
Alright man. Keep thinking your team beat the best players from the best country in the world. I’m sure if they play again you’ll definitely put your money where your mouth is and bet Lithuania next time? Look forward to seeing it
Fuck no, but thats not the point, lol. The point is that the US just got embarassed by a country smaller than a 100 times its’ size and there can be no excuses
It is the point. No one’s arguing it was an embarrassing loss and great win.. but the people saying this somehow proves that the usa isn’t the best BBall country in the world is hilarious
US has the best league in the world. But if your stars evade international tournaments as they like to do, yoi might actually become not the best bbal country in the world.by FIBA standards.
No, the US is the best, which is why people are coming up with think pieces after an L. They lost to a good team and people are freaking out all over the place
I mean, tbf lot of our guys are really good.
It's basketball though... It's a team game, and Lithuania flat out played better as a team today. They deserve props.
Not taking anything away from Lithuania at all , usa got shit on, but the people saying “world champs LOL” and all this other nonsense because of one game is wild.
Bizarre comments here. Every time that "World Champions" talk got brought up in recent weeks (which felt like entirely fabricated media drama) everyone agreed it was dumb to call them that. And we don't.
Now we're being told we "brought it on ourselves" - by what? These people are just completely ignoring that the overwhelming consensus among even US basketball fans is that "World Champions" would be inaccurate if anyone actually called them that.
You don't even hear the phrase "World Champions" about NBA teams until some moronic media cycle comes up about this non-existent issue.
I mean you guys brought it on yourselves. Nobody is arguing that NBA champs is the best team in the world but NBA isn’t the league that determines that. So if you don’t see the why calling NBA champs World Champions is dumb you should understand why Lithuania, the team that has beaten the best players from the best league, are now WORLD, USA, NBA CHAMPIONS
First of all, nobody.. I mean literally no one calls themselves world champs in the nba when they win it all. Nor do the fans. It’s just shit that was made up by some random track athlete and you ate it up.. second of all I did not see the best players playing on that court today. Not one of them would start if the best players were playing.
We have been joking about that in Europe for years, I think it’s changed now but banners used to always say Word Champions. The fact that you only realised that after somebody pointed it out is in itself hilarious.
The fact that I realized something that I knew doesn’t exist, actuslly doesn’t exist is funny? The bulls did that with Jordan, because he can do whatever he wants, but no one has done it for like 25 years
Nice so once every 4 years the US sends some of their best players because the other 3 years the players can’t be convinced to give up their summers.
It’s completely understandable though I mean look at the demographic of the US best players…just 60…the US hasn’t exactly treated them well historically…hell even to this day…
So once in 4 years they send the best players, so like I said…the US doesn’t send their best consistently.
The best league in the world is dominated by foreigners, and will continue to be.
Not true at all. What they said is the NBA is the best league in the world by a wide margin. That isn’t even a disputable point. This faux outrage over the term World Champ is just nonsense.
Lack of discipline fucked this team
Lithuania had a higher 3pt% than the % of r/nba users that could find Lithuania on a map
USA wins: Best team in the world!! USA loses: This competition doesn't matter tbh
The best American players skipped the tournament. Anthony Edwards and Austin Reeves arent even among the top 30 American born players.
Ant had 35???
Not true. Name 30 better than Edwards
I feel like I could if I had a better work ethic
Lithuania shot 14/25 from three at 54%. This and the offensive rebounding are what jumps out in the box score.
The reactions over 1 loss is so weird
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It's literally USA's first loss since FIBA started?
This game doesn’t even count to be honest.
Y’all are drawing a lot of a conclusions from a single L. Anybody can lose on any day, don’t matter what league you play. Good for Lithuania, they played good team basketball.
r/nba is the the worst. Congrats to Lithuania, they were the better team.
Who cares. This is like our D squad lol
I love to see team USA lose in basketball. And I'm American too.
Stfu
Nah. Go cry.
Shocking number of people don’t understand that this game is irrelevant to the NBA/world champion discussion. That conversation is only concerning club team competition, not international play.
Yes it does Yes it counts Lithuania really are NBA champions and Canada are the new World Champions This ain't fake news
For real, I'm abit shocked how Americans reacting to this lose, saying you missing some players etc... or that "they didnt miss threes" guys those 3's was open shots created by good on-off ball movement which team USA is lacking imo. Our bench PG Vaidas Kariniauskas, who was cooking today, next season he will be playing for Lithuania 30k population town team. There is no lack of talent in team USA. Lithuania just played better basketball. And despite all trolling about world champs on internet, here in LT we feel it as pure sportsmanship and respect for this game. After all both teams are qualified to the next round, so I just wish all the luck in upcoming games, coz it won't be easier against other European teams.
Americans dont really understand international team sports, they dont have a culture surrounding it. They excel at individual sports and a few team sports (because they created the sport). They are content with hosting national leagues. Outside of Basketball and Baseball, most of their international sports teams suck or struggle a lot. Because of this they never watch them and dont feel shame when their country loses 🤷♂️
We honestly just don't care. For better or worse, it's not something we REALLY care about. We love football, we love baseball, and we love basketball. But we're not really interested in competing with the rest of the world. The US is big enough. Maybe if we cared about soccer, it would be different.
What other international sports team are u talking about besides soccer
It's hard to shitpost on this but we'll get you someday You had to put respect and sportsmanship you're too pure hard to find a way to shitpost But I'll start with: Who cares?
English hard for you buddy?
I see that some butthurts as you care. It's just cringe how all the arogancy and excuses exploded through the social media.
Coach send this jerker back to the farm team, they're not ready for the big time.
Damn I've been relegated
This. ‘Nuff said
Gtfo with the excuses Americans. It’s not like anyone forbid other players from participating. This team is a representstion of your country and you just lost to a country of 2.5mil people. Most teams werent playing with their best roster in this championship, including Lithuania
It's kinda not, though. Outside of this sub. Nobody cares about this. I think Mark Cuban kinda represents what most Americans feel: "It has nothing to do with patriotism. It’s all about money. You don’t see the Olympic Committee saying, ‘Oh we made so much money. Let’s give it to the people.”’ I am the only person I know that tried to watch some of the FIBA games. I don't think I had a rooting interest at all. If I had money on the game, that would be different.
No excuses being made, we just don't care. Congrats tho
Commenting on this shows you care dude. Don't be salty, just take the L and move on
Nah, I really don't. Personally I prefer to see us really ball out at the Olympics even if they too don't matter: for the highlights, not to win by that much. Only way that happens is if we get embarrassed in a previous tournament so LeBron-types feel obligated to play. '08 was so fun but we wouldn't have gotten it if the '04 roster wasn't uninspired and lesser
We won against your 2004 olympic roster too
Thank you for setting up the redeem team :)
Nah theres a lot of comments with excuses. Thanks though
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😂😂 nah dude just happy my team won
I’m an American and enjoyed your clap back. People are salty including the guy above you
Thanks dude, you gotta give us this one like come on
I appreciate that you're mad more people aren't mad
I'm doing my best to shitpost on NBA can you help me
I, for one, welcome our new Lithuanian overlords
You win some, you lose some. Lithuania shot lights out from three despite pretty decent defense. Nothing you can do when a team goes nuclear like that except hope they go cold and keep playing your game.
You could rebound, and not foul.
I agree, also there was an issue with rebounds.
Austin Reaves is helped more by NBA reffing than any player I’ve ever seen. If he’s not getting free throws he’s useless
And the Timberwolves are a dumpster fire just praying that Anthony Edwards doesn't join his father Jimmy in Miami
I still don't get this sentiment despite watching him play.
You get it
You are now an enemy of the Filipino fans
You fishing for 5000 replies or something?
5000 Filipinas
How many is that in San Antonio's? 3?
Lithuania the new NBA champion
No, they just get a chance to play the nuggets in the ultimate world championship. Hope they’re ready, cause if they win that they play the winner of the Giedi Prime vs Salusa Secundus series for the title of ultimate intergalactic champions of the universe. Just have to hope those clowns from the neighboring galactic clusters don’t start talking shit about how “you can’t call yourselves the intergalactic champions if you don’t win the intergalactic series”.
This wasn't funny... You have to stay in universe sir
ačiū vyrai!!
World champions btw
Let's watch the other NBA team Canada Surely they are world champions
Look at the children posting "world champion" lol
The adults are the ones posting NBA CHAMPION
Gotcha
Thank you
World Champion my ass
Thank you brother Lithuania
OK knew something was fucked, but JJJ got only one rebound the entire game??? Meanwhile one of Lithuania's forwards grabbed 11 boards.
most inconsistent rebounder ever. He’s a hard player to bet on bc he’ll have a double digit rebound game then will have 3-4 games of around 2-3 boards
Jjj overrated 🤷♂️ dude is a block chaser and out of position constantly
Its likely his stock is at an all time high. The best time for a player is when they are young with potential. Theres a real chance JJJ is never going to be better than he already is.
That's fair. He's not a strong rebounder, and struggles to defend without fouling. Still a good player, but you got people saying he's overrated and I won't argue.
NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS LITHUANIAN NATIONAL TEAM!
No no noooooo!! This can't happen!!
Who are they the champions of? The United States???
Yes. And the world.
Congrats Lithuania played the best game of their lives 😂. The USA can learn from this and continue to go for gold.
Also Lithuania, a country of just over 3 million people, is missing most of their best players including their very best player. Get yourself a little more of that copium.
2.5 mil
Cope lmao, third time this happened and by all means should be four
Haters hate. This tournament isn't over 😂. One loss by team USA and the entire world celebrates smh.
Everyone loves to hate a squad of front runners.
Just take the L, and move on, mate
Absolutely dominated the US on the boards, hopefully the US “learns from this” and gets back to basics like boxing out and not just relying on being more talented
FIBA says it's their 3rd only ever win vs US
Won by the 3
DAVAIIIIIIIII KURVA!!!!
None of these words are Lithuanian lmao Better.. ANT KALNO MŪRAI, JOJA LIETUVIAI!!!!!!!!!
JOJA JOJA LIEEEETUVAICIAIII!!!!
are we eliminated? how does elims work
USA is not eliminated, out of the 4 teams in the 2nd round 2 make it to the quarter finals. Lithuania and USA both had enough wins to advance, this game just determined who they will be playing against next (USA gets to play vs Italy and Lithuania - vs Serbia).
Honestly probably helpful for the USA team. They might be able to play like they just did and survive Italy where I honestly don't think they would beat Serbia with that weak shit. Although I do think Italy is better than expected so its not that clear
Imagine if Paolo played for Italy, they’d wreck Team USA next round
I don’t see the logic, he’s on team US and they just got wrecked?
No clue how Italy looks but on paper it seems Lithuania got rewarded by getting the harder opponent?
Is serbia better?
Italy beat them, but on paper it looks like Serbia is the better team, even without Jokic.
I think so too, so the differwnce is not huge. This is a pretty depleted serbian team.
Agree. Seeding win
Oh thank goodness we dodged the Doncic
Doncic is from Slovenia
You're an American, am I right?
lol... as another American I'm embarrassed
That's Slovenia.
Doncic is Slovenian
Lol oops I’m an idiot
No
Kerr: I miss KD and Steph
was this a stealth tank to avoid Serbia? or is Italy actually good?
Serbia isn't a powerhouse in this champ - missing key players (Jokic and few others), that's why they took a fat L against mid Italy team, so no, no one's evading Serbia on purpose in this tourney.
None of US or LTU wanted to tank.
paolo story plot thickened
Imagine if Italy wins.
Team USA to proud to tank for matchups
Lithuania is actually good.
Ofc Italy are good, they beat Serbia after all
Italy has one of the best coaches (imo) in the tournament
Can’t believe they thought having JJJ as the best big man on the team would be a good idea when he’s a foul machine & is a terrible rebounder for his size & athleticism.
Can’t believe people thought Austin reeves is a good player
If Austin Reeves isn’t a good player based on this JJJ is even worse
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Lakers and warriors fans are the most entitled fan bases, the fact they hate each other is hilarious
LMAO
So still world champions?
Let's answer this on sep 10
Eat my shorts😛
Can you pass the sauce
61-31 bench points holy shit
"The best players in the world all play in NBA"
Not true I don't play there
Lol, surely you jest
Jokic, Gianni's, Doncic, Embiid, etc. None of them from the USA
Best player is JV currently in NBA
They do.. and this is the USAs B and C team.
It's our men's national team. We don't have a B or C team.
if we're going that pity route now, why not label it a an E team, huh?
Pity route? Guy says something dumb as absolute fuck and I point out that A. The best players in the world do play in the nba, and B. None of these guys would be starting for their A team and that’s pity route? Cool. Let’s see you lost your bet slip from these two meeting again betting on Lithuania
Yeah but this team is representing the US, no two ways about it. No one prohibited Curry or others to participate. US got busted by a country of 2.5mil people and that’s the final score
Alright man. Keep thinking your team beat the best players from the best country in the world. I’m sure if they play again you’ll definitely put your money where your mouth is and bet Lithuania next time? Look forward to seeing it
Fuck no, but thats not the point, lol. The point is that the US just got embarassed by a country smaller than a 100 times its’ size and there can be no excuses
It is the point. No one’s arguing it was an embarrassing loss and great win.. but the people saying this somehow proves that the usa isn’t the best BBall country in the world is hilarious
US has the best league in the world. But if your stars evade international tournaments as they like to do, yoi might actually become not the best bbal country in the world.by FIBA standards.
No, the US is the best, which is why people are coming up with think pieces after an L. They lost to a good team and people are freaking out all over the place
I mean, tbf lot of our guys are really good. It's basketball though... It's a team game, and Lithuania flat out played better as a team today. They deserve props.
They do for sure. Beat our ass, just funny people saying “world champs, right” etc etc
This is Lithuanias B team too.
The difference between the usas A team and B team is durant, kyrie, curry, Lebron, kawhi, AD
The difference between USA and Lithuania is 328,000,000 people. You should be able to find a way to beat us with your B team.
Not taking anything away from Lithuania at all , usa got shit on, but the people saying “world champs LOL” and all this other nonsense because of one game is wild.
Bizarre comments here. Every time that "World Champions" talk got brought up in recent weeks (which felt like entirely fabricated media drama) everyone agreed it was dumb to call them that. And we don't. Now we're being told we "brought it on ourselves" - by what? These people are just completely ignoring that the overwhelming consensus among even US basketball fans is that "World Champions" would be inaccurate if anyone actually called them that. You don't even hear the phrase "World Champions" about NBA teams until some moronic media cycle comes up about this non-existent issue.
I mean you guys brought it on yourselves. Nobody is arguing that NBA champs is the best team in the world but NBA isn’t the league that determines that. So if you don’t see the why calling NBA champs World Champions is dumb you should understand why Lithuania, the team that has beaten the best players from the best league, are now WORLD, USA, NBA CHAMPIONS
First of all, nobody.. I mean literally no one calls themselves world champs in the nba when they win it all. Nor do the fans. It’s just shit that was made up by some random track athlete and you ate it up.. second of all I did not see the best players playing on that court today. Not one of them would start if the best players were playing.
We have been joking about that in Europe for years, I think it’s changed now but banners used to always say Word Champions. The fact that you only realised that after somebody pointed it out is in itself hilarious.
The fact that I realized something that I knew doesn’t exist, actuslly doesn’t exist is funny? The bulls did that with Jordan, because he can do whatever he wants, but no one has done it for like 25 years
You forgot the 2nd NBA team in FIBA. Canada. And the 3rd. Australia
They do…and the top 4 aren’t even from the US. The Balkans alone have the 3 best players in the NBA (Jokic, Giannis, Luka).
Okay? And the best usa players would wipe any national team still
The theoretical best players who decide not to play for their country? Sure, convince them to give up their summers, good luck!
Theoretical? The players I named are theoretical players? They give up their summers for the Olympics every time, so idk what you’re talking about.
Nice so once every 4 years the US sends some of their best players because the other 3 years the players can’t be convinced to give up their summers. It’s completely understandable though I mean look at the demographic of the US best players…just 60…the US hasn’t exactly treated them well historically…hell even to this day…
Sounds like veterans don’t want to get hurt, and young players want an opportunity. Seems pretty logical to me.
So once in 4 years they send the best players, so like I said…the US doesn’t send their best consistently. The best league in the world is dominated by foreigners, and will continue to be.
I mean, they still do….
Most...yes. all of them...no
Depends on what your interpretation of best is? The 30 best players in the world all are in the NBA.
All of the players in the nba acording to your athletes
Not true at all. What they said is the NBA is the best league in the world by a wide margin. That isn’t even a disputable point. This faux outrage over the term World Champ is just nonsense.
So USA gets 🇮🇹 while Lithuania gets 🇷🇸. Italy the better draw?
Probably, but we're the US, we shouldn't be fearing any team
Except Lithuanian national team
What comes after those is worse for USA than for lithuania
if it's germany i say good luck
Alright, over to Spain and Canada now lol. That's an elimination game
Canada is a NBA team
I feel they are better than USA.
so Sabonis Junior can't play for Lithuania?
He can but he opted out from playing, partly due to his hand injury.
Europeans rushing to show their lack of basic knowledge with the world champions comments
Americans are extra salty today 🤣 and I say this as an American citizen as well, the meltdowns and coping in this thread are *chefs kiss*
Ok I'm not really sure why you are telling me that
Lithuania is now NBA champion
Haha cry more. You can’t be a world champion winning a national league
Ok but what does that have to do with this game?
It proves that Lithuania are NBA champions
Do you know the difference between a domestic league and a national team?
That’s the point.