Tokyo Olympics 2021: 5 Key takeaways from Team USA's opening loss versus France

#3 America's lack of rhythm on offense

Kevin Durant was unable to lead Team USA to victory

Although they started the game on the front foot, Team USA's second-half performance on offense was stagnant and lacked the kind of rhythm you would expect from a side full of All-Star players.

Coach Popovich could be heard in the team's huddle urging his players to move without the ball and create open looks for themselves. However, the Americans made it easy for the French to defend them down the stretch. Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant both made crucial mistakes in the dying embers of the game that led to French possession, while the players' decision to play hero-ball instead of driving the lane for two points was confusing.

#4 Team USA's troubles in the paint

Team USA struggled to deal with France in the paint

There was a lot of discussion prior to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics surrounding Team USA's potential troubles in the paint. JaVale McGee was added to the squad when Kevin Love had to pull out due to injury as an additional rim protector, however he played just shy of two minutes in this encounter.

While center Bam Adebayo had a solid game, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, the U.S. was dominated in the paint at times. The French secured six more boards than their opponents, allowed four fewer points in the paint and scored nine more second-chance points. Although it may not seem like a lot, all of these stats add up in a format where games are traditionally lower scoring.

In the third quarter in particular, Team USA struggled to deal with the French's size with both Rudy Gobert and Vincent Poirier on the floor or the 7'2" Moustapha Fall. They either need to find a way to resolve this issue via a small-ball lineup or trial a bigger lineup.

#5 Jrue Holiday is a machine

Jrue Holiday just won the NBA championship on Tuesday

If it wasn't already clear after his NBA Finals performances, Jrue Holiday is a machine. The Milwaukee Bucks guard was influential in the franchise's first title win since 1971 and wasted no time in settling in with Team USA.

Just 48 hours after celebrating with his teammates in Milwaukee during the championship parade, Holiday had landed in Tokyo and was ready to play. On Sunday, he was the only U.S. player in the fourth quarter who looked like they could rescue the game, scoring 12 points and finishing as the side's highest scorer with 18. Along with his much-needed contribution on the score board, the 31-year-old also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists.

What a week for Jrue Holiday 🤯• TuesdayWins NBA Finals• ThursdayCelebrates in Bucks parade• SaturdayArrives in Tokyo for Olympics• SundayDrops 12 points in 4th quarter for #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/QTVnS4X8d2

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 25, 2021