As it prepared for the FIBA World Cup, the U.S. National Basketball Team crafted its roster for a championship matchup with tall, talented Spain.
That meant the exclusion of Mavericks’ small forward Chandler Parsons. And in the end, it wouldn’t have mattered either way.
Sending a loud, clear message that the U.S. is again lapping the world on the hardwood, the Americans avoided Spain and cruised to the championship. While Spain – led by the Gasol brothers – were upset by Spain, a U.S. team without LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Blake Griffin barely broke a sweat.
The U.S. won every game by at least 21 points and smothered Serbia in the title game by 37. There was a time when the world was catching up to the U.S. It’s now safe to say America has re-established its dominance. It has all the sudden won 63 consecutive international games and will be the overwhelming favorite at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
Parsons, acquired by the Mavs over the summer, seemed to be a perfect fit for the Americans with his outside shooting and versatility. But the U.S. went without a bigger roster in preparation for a potential matchup with the Spaniards.
So instead of flying home with a gold medal today, Parsons will be at American Airlines Center preparing for training camp.
Let’s call it a win-win.
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A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
