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FIBA World Cup: What We Learned About Each Player On Team USA’s Roster

By Gerald Bourguet

Team USA won the gold medal of the FIBA World Cup with a win over Serbia Sunday. (Photo Credit: FIBA photo)
Team USA won the gold medal of the FIBA World Cup with a win over Serbia Sunday. (Photo Credit: FIBA photo) /
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FIBA World Cup
Kyrie Irving was lights out for Team USA in the gold medal game of the 2014 FIBA World Cup. (Photo Credit: FIBA photo) /

Kyrie Irving

Until the gold medal game, Kyrie Irving wasn’t the flashiest member of Team USA. But he was largely Coach K’s most consistent starter in the backcourt and with the gold in reach, Irving went off for 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting and a perfect 6-for-6 from downtown. Irving ended up winning the 2014 FIBA World Cup MVP award after shooting 56.2 percent from the field and 60.9 percent from downtown for the tournament.

Under Tom Thibodeau’s tutelage, Irving’s normally appalling defense was at least serviceable. That’s not saying much considering the level of competition Team USA was up against, but at least Irving was trying. Heading into the 2014-15 season with a Cleveland Cavaliers team that suddenly has title aspirations, that’s pretty great news.

Irving’s consistent shooting is also good news, especially since he’ll need to be able to knock down catch-and-shoot threes at a higher clip with the ball in LeBron James‘ hands more often this season. All in all, the FIBA World Cup looks like it’ll be a helpful experience for Kyrie Irving heading into his first foray into the postseason.