Imperial at the Olympic Games since 2008, and the famous “Redeem Team”, Team USA has not won the World Cup since 2014. As in 2019, Steve Kerr’s players leave the competition without a medal and with three defeats. It is an affront to the United States, which has always considered itself the country of basketball.
If the Americans want to win the biggest international competitions, they have an obligation to bring the best possible team. We have known this since 2008, when Spain pushed Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and the others to their limits. But today, what is the best possible team when the last MVPs are foreign, and there was only one American (Jayson Tatum) in the First All-NBA Team 2023?
Steve Kerr wants more “two-way players”
First, a look at the team that just finished 4th in the World Cup. Steve Kerr and Grant Hill have always explained that the best elements will earn points for 2024. Clearly, Anthony Edwards undoubtedly already has his ticket to Paris. Mikal Bridges, Tyrese Haliburton and even Austin Reaves will also be candidates for the final roster.
Listening to Steve Kerr, he will take as many “two-way players” as possible for Paris. “In this tournament, we put ourselves in a good position, and we went to the semi-finals. We were there, but we didn’t manage to make enough defensive stops. We didn’t defend well against Germany or Canada. This is what you have to remember. Every year we try to build the best team with two-way players. »
A profile that corresponds to several Olympic champion players in 2021: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown. From this formation, we can add Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and why not Draymond Green since Steve Kerr will always be in charge. If the coach, assistant in Tokyo, wants to work on continuity, he will undoubtedly have to rely on the framework of 2021, with the addition of the best elements of 2023.
Stephen Curry has never played in the Olympics
The current squad, made up entirely of players with no international experience, also lacked “veterans”, and even a vocal leader. In Paris, we could see Stephen Curry. He’s never played in the Olympics, and he might be tempted since Steve Kerr is teasing him with it.
“That’s the one line on my CV that Steve Kerr likes to joke about, that I don’t have an Olympic gold medal,” Stephen Curry confirmed in July. “I have no idea what next summer will look like, but obviously having Coach Kerr leading this mission is an added bonus, and I would love to play for him.” So we’ll see how it looks when summer 2024 arrives.”
A final challenge for LeBron?
Clearly, the ball is in Stephen Curry’s court. Ditto for LeBron James undoubtedly. Elected to the Second All-NBA Team, ik remains one of the best NBA players and he has extended his contract with the Lakers until 2025. He could offer himself one last challenge with the objective of winning a 4th Olympic gold medal . A few months before celebrating his 40th birthday…
Like LeBron, Kevin Durant can also go for a 4th Olympic gold medal, and Steve Kerr opened the door for him. “He dominated a lot with Team USA and, as I said before, he’s a guy who loves to play, so we hope he decides to continue with us” the American coach declared in December.
Joel Embiid as USA wildcard?
Another superstar mentioned, Joel Embiid. Here again, the ball is in his court. The United States, like France, opened the door to him, and the 2023 MVP is spoiled for choice. His presence would be all the more important as the United States suffered under the boards, and Jaren Jackson Jr. showed his limits in rebounding and in attack. Not sure we’ll see the inside of the Grizzlies again in Paris… If Joel Embiid were to refuse the selection, the best plan B would undoubtedly be to recall Anthony Davis, who has the advantage of being able to play 4 or 5. It’s also a big rebounder, and that’s what the Americans lacked at the World Cup.
On the young talent side, and there are many of them, the door seems closed for Trae Young and Ja Morant. The first made several appeals with his foot, but his profile would not stick. As for the second, he must redeem himself, and the selection will not take the risk of taking him to the Olympics. The likes of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren or Cade Cunningham could compete for the 12th man position.
On arrival, what would be the ideal squad?
Leaders : Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton
Exteriors : Anthony Edwards, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, LeBron James.
Interiors : Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis.
Reservoir : Jrue Holiday, Jalen Brunson, Jaylen Brown, Draymond Green, Mikal Bridges, Austin Reaves, Klay Thompson, Jaren Jackson Jr., De’Aaron Fox, Cade Cunningham…
