Anthony Edwards says Team USA loss about lacking toughness, not size

Team USA star Anthony Edwards after they lost to Germany in the Fiba World Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines —Team USA’s size disadvantage has been evident throughout this entire Fiba World Cup. But when the Americans lost to Germany Friday night in a failed bid to advance to the final, Anthony Edwards insisted it wasn’t about their lack of size.

“No [we weren’t lacking size]. It was just toughness. Even myself could have played tougher and got more rebounds so it was on all of us,” said Edwards after the heartbreaking 113-111 loss in the semifinal at at Mall of Asia Arena.

Edwards, who led the Americans with 23 points and eight rebounds, admitted they were simply outhustled by Germany:  “We got outrebounded all night.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves,  who has taken the mantle of go-to guy for this team, sparked a late rally for Team USA along with Austin Reaves as they fought back from a 12-point deficit.

But he committed a costly turnover after his pass to Jaren Jackson Jr. went out of bounds with USA trailing a 113-109 deficit with 27 seconds to go.

Team USA players Anthony Edwards and Jaren Jackson Jr react after a crucial turnover in the semifinal match as Germany advances to the Fiba World Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Germans, which got 25-second chance points to further frustrate the Americans, leaned on Andreas Obst to make their first-ever World Cup final with seven straight wins. Obst had 24 points, including a clutch triple, and six assists.

“We knew he was a shooter and he was a sniper. The game plan was to take him out of the game but he ended up getting off tonight. Kudos to him,” Edwards said.

“I think we tried [to contest their shots], we fouled them a couple of times. But we kind of gave them up free points. Kudos to them,” he added.

Mikal Bridges, who had 17 points on perfect 3-of-3 three-point shooting for Team USA, knows they could’ve done better as they exit the tournament early again for the second straight edition.

“It’s for our country. It’s tough. We gonna get through it but yeah, it’s tough,” Bridges said. “We could’ve done better. Just help each other out, but yeah wish we could’ve done better.”

They have an opportunity to a bounce-back game and salvage a medal when the Americans cap campaign in the battle for bronze against Canada on Sunday.

“We should go out there and play,” said Edwards, who also expressed his desire to play in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Anthony Edwards after losing to Germany in the semis: We should go out there and play. #FIBAWC

Posted by Inquirer Sports on Friday, September 8, 2023

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