Even though the 2023 Basketball World Cup was an exciting affair, which saw Germany win the gold medal for the first time in the country’s history, the competition was just an appetizer before the next Summer Olympic Games, which will take place in 2024 in Paris. And like every four years, Team USA will act as favorite. But with whom in its ranks?
Unlike football or tennis for example, basketball pays particular attention to the Olympic Games. Just like the FIFA World Cup or Grand Slam tournaments, the Olympics are the best for fans of the orange ball. And in 2024, the battle will be fierce since Europe is getting very close to the level of the Americans, which has not always been the case. Team USA will therefore be keen to keep its place on the throne as has been the case since 2008. Today, let’s focus on what the American team could look like in Paris. Could we see a real change between the World Cup roster and the Olympic roster? After yet another extremely disappointing performance for the Americans at a FIBA World Cup, it may be time to change strategy.
The NBA wants to adopt stricter rules for its stars, who is affected? https://t.co/NKHMHsnv91 pic.twitter.com/rUxfUl1dTx
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Who to take the backcourt?
On the back line Stephen Curry acts as a favorite. No more testing, no more reliability. The superstar of Golden State Warriors is one of the most accomplished players never to win Olympic Gold. He hasn’t even represented Team USA in the Olympics yet, only representing Team USA at the U-19 World Championship in 2007 and the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, two tournaments where the Americans won Gold. Afterwards, Tyrese Haliburton could be invited back to play for Team USA in the Olympics next summer. He was a key contributor to Team USA at the last FIBA World Cup and with another season under his belt next year, the point guard Indiana Pacers will undoubtedly be entitled to a second opportunity to express themselves. The same applies to Anthony Edwards who scored a good number of points in Asia this summer and Devin Booker who already has an Olympic Gold medal to his name. Behind, Austin Reaves, De’Aaron Fox, Trae Young, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Ja Morant, Jalen Brunson et Donovan Mitchell could fight for a final spot on the backcourt.
Very heavy on the wings and inside
Arguably the greatest player of all time with Team USA, the star swingman of Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant, is the leading American scorer in the Olympic Games (354 points). He has already won Gold three times in the competition and is aiming for a 4th consecutive participation. At his side, we could find Jayson Tatum. The superstar of Boston Celtics already has great experience with Team USA, participating in two recent major international tournaments, the 2019 World Cup and the 2020 Olympic Games. Additionally, Tatum was the second highest scorer for the American team during the last Olympics, averaging 15.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in six games. His teammate in Boston, Jaylen Brown could also be part of the adventure. A member of the disastrous 2019 U.S. World Cup team, the star of the Celtics Jaylen Brown was not invited back for the following Olympics, in which the Americans bounced back to win gold. However, much has changed since then, mainly regarding Brown as a player, having just made the All-NBA 2nd team and is now a two-time All-Star. Finally, we could find Mikal Bridges, LeBron James, Paul George (if he is healthy), Kris Middleton or Paolo Banchero to conclude positions 3 and 4, the favorite remaining the King who recently admitted wanting to participate in the party.
What will be the pivots of Team USA?
Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayothe young Chet Holmgren, Jaren Jackson Jr, Anthony Davis, Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Nic Claxton… Here are the pretty names we are thinking of to fill position 5 of Team USA. Not everyone will be able to come, however. The ideal would be to take Embiidpivot of Sixers, but nothing yet indicates with certainty that the native of Yaoundé will not play for France by then. Before the World Cup, the general director of the French team, Boris Diaw, had declared that France would not recruit anyone, preferring players who want to play for the country. If Embiid wants to play the Olympic Games next summer, the American team could also need it more than the French, given that the latter have the infallible services of Rudy Gobert et Victor Wembanyama, two other top big men. To be continued but whatever, Embiid is the favorite for this position with Anthony Davis et Bam Adebayo. Either way, the next few months will reveal their share of truths. Many players risk coming forward to have a role in the squad that will be concocted Steve Kerr.
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