Did you hear? The USA has once again won worlds gold! After once again switching up tactics in the final against Italy, USA showed the world that you don't need to play LI to win. The USA began their tough journey this season with some hard losses and entering the 2nd round of the tournament with an 0-3 record. From there, we never looked back. We proceeded to win all the games in the 2nd round, Beat the Philippines by playing BO in the semifinal game and then edging out the Italy U21 NT with PtB 98-93 earlier today. This is the first time ever that a team entering the 2nd round of Worlds 0-3 has won the Gold. This was Miracle on Ice... or Miracle on wood I guess is a better way to put it. As some of you probably know, this was my second term and I have succeeded with my goal of worlds gold twice (4 seasons consisting of two Continental Golds and two World Golds). It has been a very fun run and I've certainly learned a lot from the experience of managing such a high profile team but unfortunately this will be my last season as the U21 NT manager. On a more positive note, I would just like to throw out some appreciation and love for the other managers that helped me out so much throughout this season. It truly would not be possible without all of your help!
Thank you to everyone who helped train players this season and altered some of your training plans specifically to help out the U21 NT! Training players for the U21 NT and managing their training and minutes is very difficult and I know first hand all the issues that can occur throughout a season for managing your U21 NT player, so I really do appreciate it! These managers include:
mbwun5- Rick Frederick
Peluin- Bryan Fernandez
A Warrior- Ismael De la Barrera (Both for Continentals and Worlds)
tjorlet- Waylon Whitmore
Choachinator- Frederick Warren
Phil_Wings- Sam Lindley (Both for Continentals and Worlds)
glenbot- Charlie Singer AND Ernist Spangler
fewmit- Eugene Nagle AND Roland Shell
Steely- Cyrus Coyle
Omega Man- Burton Rosenthal
bballk10- Stewart Tripp (Both for Continentals and Worlds)
Also thank you to everyone who helped with gameplanning throughout the season, giving opinions and guidance on what to do tactic-wise and lineup-wise. Even when we did not go with your thoughts and ideas, it was still much appreciated and perfect to have to discuss about for the gameplanning! These managers include:
fewmit (Thanks especially for getting the details on our opponents past tactics and GDP situations, so useful!)
A Warrior (You were one of the most active members every single week for gamplanning and you are awesome!)
Oreo Dunker
Birdzilla123
Phyr (Good insight every time you posted and getting opponents skillsets were always a luxury I loved having)
bballk10
magiker (Thanks for taking time out of your NT duties to help me out the U21 NT! You have done great with the NT)
mbwun5
Knowledge
jfarb (Main reason we went PtB and probably won the Gold this season was based off of you suggestion! Thanks!)
tough
Anyone else who I missed that helped out whenever they could!
Once again, I'd just like to say how much fun this season and my two terms as a whole have been and I'm glad to be able to be a part of the USA community on BuzzerBeater. I hope that this helps peak your interest in the offsite and the NTs in general and maybe adds some more desire on your end to help train players and be part of the staff so you could be an aspect of another amazing USA U21 NT run for Gold!
Over and Out!
Murray/Harris/MPJ/Grant/Jokic - 2020 NBA Champs