Team USA will be the favorites at the FIBA World Cup in China beginning on Aug. 31, sporting the tournament’s top roster by a sizable margin despite a slate of high-profile departures. But the most talent doesn’t always equate to a perfect international record. The United States finished sixth in the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis, and they followed that performance up with a bronze-medal finish in the 2004 Athens Olympics. A gold medal in September isn’t guaranteed.
It’s very possible Team USA hits its groove and rolls through the tournament, though they could face a dicey test or two along the way.