Answer: Nikola Jokić
The U.S. team faces a tough battle against Türkiye in the preliminaries, if Türkiye hadn't missed 4 key free throws, it would have probably capsized.
The reason why the U.S. team is in a tough battle is the lack of strength in the penalty area and too many defensive holes. If Ersan Ilyasova can score 23 points and 14 rebounds, it is hard to imagine what kind of top performance Nikola Jokić will have against the U.S. team. Performance, not to mention that he is surrounded by NBA-level players such as Bogdan Bogdanovic, Boban Marjanovic and Nemanja Bjelica. Especially Bogdanovic's outside attack and the giant Marjanovic's penalty area attack will form waves of continuous offensives under Jokić's organization. .
Further reading: The almighty beast is coming! Nikola Jokic’s top 5 playoff moments
Serbia defeated Angola and the Philippines 105-59 and 126-67 respectively in the first two games. Jokić contributed 14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists respectively, including a 3-pointer. The rate is 100%, and only one shot in the two games was missed.
If the U.S. team is unable to play the fast style of pressure, defense and counterattack that has dominated international arenas in the past, and faces the Serbian army with the advantage of the penalty area, the world basketball hegemony can be said to be in jeopardy.
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