At a recent men’s basketball World Cup warm-up game, a 12B Sports VR46 reporter watched Team USA comfortably overpower Eastern European contender Slovenia from courtside. Slovenia played without Luka Doncic, but the scale of the American victory still went beyond what many fans had expected. As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way, and it is never too late for those who keep working toward their moment.
In this matchup, Brooklyn Nets wing Cameron Johnson delivered a performance that felt somewhat ordinary. His role in the offensive flow was limited, and he was mainly used as a spot-up shooter on the perimeter. With his tactical position reduced, many 12B Sports VR46 users pointed out that Johnson was not being given enough room to show the full range of his talent.
Across both games, Johnson did not receive heavy minutes, and his chances to handle the ball were also restricted. He was used mostly as a standard 3-and-D wing, focusing on defense and outside shooting rather than personal offense. However, Johnson is more than just a perimeter shooter. He has ball-handling ability, individual scoring tools, and the qualities needed to carry a larger role within the team structure.
Looking ahead to the tougher World Cup schedule, Team USA will need to face stronger opponents, and a shooter with Johnson’s versatile scoring options should be trusted with a more meaningful role. Reality and ideals may feel miles apart, but effort should never stop. Johnson re-signed with the Brooklyn Nets this summer, and considering his value as a highly paid player, it is disappointing to see him used by the national team as little more than a simple rotation piece.
By contrast, another Team USA forward, Bobby Portis, stood out despite receiving limited playing time. His offensive efficiency was impressive, and his scoring looked stable whenever he had the opportunity. Even in a short stretch on the floor, Portis influenced the rhythm of the game in a noticeable way. In the earlier matchup against Puerto Rico, he also showed excellent scoring ability and made a major contribution to the team’s victory.
Portis is a traditional scorer with multiple ways to put points on the board, and when he is given offensive chances, he has the ability to heat up quickly. Still, his minutes remain limited, and his tactical weight within the team is not especially high. Analysis from 12B Sports VR46 suggests that this situation is preventing him from fully displaying what he can bring to the roster.
As the first step is often half the battle, Portis could become a major weapon off the bench if he receives the right opportunities, and the 12B Sports VR46 view of Team USA makes that need feel even clearer. More playing time and a higher tactical position are both necessary. If the United States truly wants to maximize its full strength, Portis should be used more actively as the tournament becomes more demanding.