Why it might actually be better for basketball if Team USA loses the FIBA World Cup

Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win's basketball newsletter. This is Mike Sykes

While thinking of something to write about for today's newsletter, the homie Bryan Kalbrosky recommended today's episode of the Bill Simmons podcast to me.

Simmons had Charles Barkley on as a guest and Chuck offered up a pretty hot take about the FIBA World Cup games. Barkley said basketball would be better off if Team USA actually lost the Gold Medal. Not just here in these FIBA World Cup games, but in the Olympics, too.

Here's why:

"They act like if we don't win the gold medal it's going to be the worst thing to ever happen to civilization. I actually disagree with that. I think it'd be great. Because I think it'd really help with popularity in one of these little third-world countries if they won the gold medal. Can you imagine if France won the gold medal? How popular would basketball become in France?"

So, a couple of things there. It's pretty wild that Barkley is calling France a "third-world" country. That's Chuck for you. Also, basketball is already pretty popular in France. Just ask Victor Wembanyama.

But, outside of those ridiculous points, I think Barkley is actually cooking with something here.

Would it be the worst thing in the world if Team USA lost? I think that actually could be a pretty good thing this year.

Now, look. Before you pull out your pitchforks, I'm still rooting for those guys. I'd love to see them succeed here and, ultimately, I think they will. They're still the best team in this tournament by far.

But could you imagine, say, Luka Doncic's Slovenia team taking it to Team USA? Or Canada finally pulling off the upset behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? That'd be pretty impressive. It'd require a performance for the ages and that's always a fun thing to watch. A 60-point burner from SGA to topple the giant, for example, would be extremely fun even if it comes at Team USA's expense.

RELATED: The best players participating in the FIBA World Cup, ranked

Plus, aside from the boost in popularity it would add for whatever country pulls that off and wins it all, it'd also raise the stakes for the competition next year going into the 2024 Summer Olympics. Team USA wouldn't be this unbeatable juggernaut anymore. Not only would the world know it can overcome any perceived talent deficit, but Team USA would also know that it's beatable.

Grant Hill and company would have no choice but to send the A-Team and bring all the All-Stars. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James (if he wants to do it!) and more. Make sure this doesn't happen again.

The best part about that, though, is that it still wouldn't guarantee a win. Remember, Jamal Murray isn't on Team Canada, for example. Nikola Jokic isn't playing for Serbia. Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't playing for Greece right now, either. The world is holding back a bit, too. The Olympic games could be incredible.

So, yes, Would it be great if Team USA wins? Of course. I could go for at least 20 more Anthony Edwards burners at this point.

But if they don't win it all? Barkley is spot on - it wouldn't be so bad. It might even be for the better.

The Tip-Off

Speaking of the World Cup, there were some pretty dominant performances today to tip things off. Here’s a quick recap of some of the best.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: SGA completely dominated France with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists in a 30-point blowout. This dude is unreal.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: Karl-Anthony Towns got the Dominican Republic its first win of the tourney with 26 points and 10 rebounds in a clutch win over the Philippines.
• Josh Giddey: Giddey controlled every facet of the game with a 14-point, 9-rebound, 8-assist performance against Finland and Lauri Markkanen.
•  Jordan Clarkson: Jordan Clarkson looked like an absolute star for the Philippines. He may have lost to KAT and the DR, but he gave them a scare with 27 points, 7 points and 7 assists. (He did have 8 turnovers, too).
• Nikola Vucevic: Nikola Vucevic had a huge day for Montenegro against Mexico with 27 points, 10 rebounds and a couple of blocks. He barely missed, going 11 of 15 from the field. Just pure dominance.

Looks like we're up for a pretty fun tournament.

One to Watch

All eyes right now are on Giannis Antetokounmpo. His future seems pretty up in the air right now and I think Bucks fans should be pretty concerned. I detailed why in today's Morning Win.

Antetokounmpo seems prepared to leave Milwaukee. Seriously. Just look at this quote.

"You've got to see the dynamics…How the coach is going to be, how we're going to be together. At the end of the day, I feel like all my teammates know, and the organization knows that I want to win a championship. As long as we're on the same page with that, and you show me, and we go together to win a championship, I'm all for it."

That's a dude that is in wait-and-see mode. He's right to feel that way, too. The Bucks just had one of the most devastating playoff losses we've seen.

Regardless, the NBA is on Giannis watch. Again. And that's a pretty scary space for the Bucks.

Shootaround

- Here's Bryan Kalbrosky with 10 NBA stars who aren't participating in the World Cup anymore.

- The Lakers found an extremely cool way to honor Kobe and Gigi Bryant when the team unveils Kobe's statue next year.

- Damian Lillard won't talk about the Portland Trail Blazers anymore and I don't blame him.

- OF COURSE, Jimmy Butler scored a point in tennis against Carlos Alcaraz. Of course, he did. Kalbrosky has more.

That's all, folks. Enjoy the basketball this weekend!