The world didn’t end with the NBA and the Dream Team. We already know this and evidence can be submitted and arguments can be submitted. But they make it more fun, if nothing else. The United States ended its failure at the 2023 World Cup in an incredible game for bronze (118-127). Canada won their first medal after winning with a remarkable finish. For history. Because of what a second World Cup without metal means for the ‘Dream Team’ and because of how events have developed. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander invents brutal overtime, after a missed free throw leads to a triple by Mikal Bridges to send the game five minutes from a heart attack. Deserves an Oscar for best film.
The craziest possible ending in the match that everyone wants and that they compete as the final despite the distribution of bronze. Canada led because Dillon Brooks (39 points, 12/18 shooting) and Shai (31 points, 12 assists and 6 rebounds) brought all kinds of resources.. But the ‘Dream Team’ continued the game with everyone and had the last change of pace that went down in FIBA ​​history. It did not work for them, although they took from the Mall of Asia Arena the indisputable image of the World Cup.
Bridges invented a historical ending
It is wrong to give importance to what happened between one minute and 39. The end is the reason for everything. Until then, comings and goings on both sides. Canada’s success, Dillon Brooks was outstanding with two baskets and a Team USA that knows how to handle Austin Reaves (23 points, 5 rebounds) and Anthony Edward (24 points, 5 rebounds). A big exchange made it 107-107 with a minute left. Therefore, the ‘American’ – continent – shows that they understand sports performance better than others.
It was a star season. Shai took a mid-range shot, forcing a response from the United States. It fell to Edwards, their best player during the World Cup, looking to respond with the same remedy. He didn’t go in, giving Canada an option to kill the game. Brooks did his part from the free throw and at 107-111 everything seemed to be decided.
Or not… Because even though Austin Reaves failed from the triple, Mikal Bridges took the weight of the team. About the flag, which defines the country with the stars and stripes. He added an offensive rebound, and went to the personnel line. I had to shoot to miss. He finished the ‘easy part’ and Canada came out under the board. Bridges grabbed his own rebound, went to the corner and sent the game into overtime. “Are you serious, Mikal?” they said from USA Basketball.
Shai decided the extension
A crazy thing. History of the World Cup. Canada, who dominated the whole game (partials like 82-91, 30′), saw how the impossible ‘Dream Team’ was still alive. And it’s back to the time of the stars, with the 10th crazy twist in the script. Shai didn’t hesitate and scored at half distance. Edwards, who was clearly down when the match was decided, repeated his mistake and the Canadian superstar the war is over.
From the triple, Reaves left and surpassed Bridges, hero and villain by a five-minute margin. His shot was dead again, just like it was against Spain. The United States has risen once, a second time it will not. He lost all fluids and Dillon Brooks, on his best day on a basketball court, was killed from a free throw.
Failure of the United States, glory of Canada. In an impressive match (118-127), historic. The triple that no one believed from Bridges. One of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who implemented the Dream Team to become world champion. Life doesn’t end in the NBA, but there is no doubt which makes it more fun.
