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When the famous New York robber Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, he replied: "Because that's where the money is." Equally obvious reasoning could be formulated in the US failure at the World Cup, plucked by France as it seemed sung. They did not take the gold because their best players stayed at home. Not one or two. Neither five nor 10. There were lots, a contempt that they have paid more than. Although Gregg Popovich asked for respect and not remember those who are not.

The worst thing is that it is not the first time that happens to them. And you already know about tripping over the same stone twice. The USA Team accumulated 48 consecutive victories, five gold medals (three Olympic and two world), a brutal resurgence, but also from ashes. Then, at the beginning of the century, the potholes were worrisome. In his home World Cup, in 2002, the absolute ridiculous with three trips (Yugoslavia, Spain and Argentina). In 2004, perhaps the one that changed history, in Athens, against Argentina in the semifinals (after having knocked that Spain upside down with Marbury's unforgettable night). And two years later, with the dawn of Krzyzewski's project, with Jerry Colangelo at the helm, before Greece in Japan, also in semis.

That thunderous return is awaited now, thinking about Tokyo. It was always known that the Games were for the most important Americans and that in the World Cups the roster of stars fell. But nothing like China, where up to 39 names fell from the preliminary list, forged a couple of years before . This summer has been bleeding, but why?

There is a lot of loss of ambition, but also a contagion effect. To the point of forming the worst NBA team in history, nothing comparable to the World Cup in Spain five years ago. Without missing quality players - even the bad luck of Tatum's injury during the tournament hit them - it was more a set of remnants than anything else, a team without feet or head. Harden and Anthony Davis looked like the two pillars at the beginning of the summer, but they collapsed at the slightest blow. There were excuses for all tastes. But the main reasons were fear of injuries and juicy contracts at stake. Then came the resignations of Damian Lillard , Kyle Lowry , Bradley Beal ... Also influenced by the lack of self-esteem, fear of what was coming.

Already in preparation Australia put them on notice. Only Russian roulette and the wrong free throws avoided the first stumble against Turkey in the first phase. They advanced by the World Cup without more pain than glory until France, a team equal or physically superior, with an internal reference as powerful as Gobert , destroyed them in Dongguan. Not even the boast of Donovan Mitchell saved them from the catastrophe.

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