Daniel Theis thinks Team USA is beatable in Olympics, praises Tyronn Lue / News - Basketnews.com

European teams' roster continuity might be the key aspect that will help defeat Team USA in the Olympics, Theis says. Despite a superior roster, Team USA is beatable, he thinks.

Credit: Maximilian Haupt/dpa - Scanpix Credit Maximilian Haupt/dpa - Scanpix

After playing in just seven games during the 2022-23 NBA season, Daniel Theis has found a consistent role with the Los Angeles Clippers this year.

2-pointers this season

56%30,2Points made:30,2Accuracy:55,6%Place in standings:12Record max:39Record min:18Most made 2FGs:Kawhi LeonardTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Even though he's not a starter anymore, Theis is playing solid minutes on the court while being on a title-contending roster. Some of the accolades go to head coach Tyronn Lue.

"The fact that he's a former player makes it easier. He understands the players' needs, especially when we have a slightly older team. He takes care of the details, we do individual work to improve as a team, we watch videos... He makes everyone feel responsible," Theis said in an interview with Toni Canyameras from Mundo Deportivo. "And that's how you earn the respect of the locker room, of big names, and of a team that wants to win. Everyone listens to him."

Before a rebound season in the NBA, Theis was one of the main guys in the German national team that won the 2023 FIBA World Cup, defeating Team USA along the way. Theis averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while his best game was against Team USA when he scored 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.

"With the success of the summer, I personally found joy in basketball again. When you're part of a team that's successful, obviously, that makes it easier [for you], and you want to keep growing and winning," Theis said.

Germany was assembled from a multitude of role players in the NBA, with Dennis Schroder, who's getting inconsistent starter minutes in Toronto, being the star of the squad.

However, Theis doesn't think the German players are mistreated in the league.

"Dennis has been in the NBA for 10-11 years and has always played incredibly, whether coming off the bench or not, playing 25 or 30 minutes," the big man explained. "And if you look at Franz and Moritz Wagner, the brothers, they are great players. I don't see anyone undervalued."

Los Angeles Clippers / Schedule

Cleveland Cavaliers Los Angeles Clippers118-108 Washington Wizards Los Angeles Clippers109-125 Detroit Pistons Los Angeles Clippers125-136 Miami Heat Los Angeles Clippers95-103 Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles ClippersTue00:30 Los Angeles Clippers New Orleans PelicansThu03:00 Los Angeles Clippers Detroit PistonsSat20:30

This upcoming summer, Team USA is going to feature a plethora of superstars, ranging from LeBron James to Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum. Despite a much-improved roster, Theis still thinks that Team USA can be beaten in a shot tournament such as the Olympic Games.

"Yes, why not? I don't see why there wouldn't be an opportunity if you go to the Olympics," he said. "You want to win a medal, and you want to go for a reason. You can't give up because Team USA brings stars. You have to enjoy and do your best."

Despite the superior roster star power, the Clippers center thinks the continuity that the European teams have can play a big role in competing against an otherwise better roster.

"European teams benefit from playing together from the youth ranks and staying together for a while. When you look at Spain and the great generation they had with the Gasols and Navarro, they were together for 15 years or so, so it is based on the young players having continuity," Theis explained.

"European teams also have trials. The United States and Canada have to pay a lot of players [to go to the national team], while in the European teams, you still have to show up for trials, you still have to compete to earn the spot," the big man concluded.

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