Two losses this week in World Cup competition offered another reminder that USA Basketball isn’t as far ahead of the rest of the world as it used to be.
The Americans couldn’t overcome a huge early deficit on Sunday against Lithuania as bigger and stronger opponents continue to cause problems for the U.S. team. After blowing out Italy on Tuesday in the start of the elimination round, the same issues emerged on Friday against Germany, which held on for a two-point victory that sent Team USA into the bronze-medal game.
It might be easy to dismiss the losses as a result of not having its best players participating, but that’s true for a lot of nations with the Olympics looming in 2024. Only two All-NBA players took part in the World Cup — Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — and neither represented the U.S.
The stakes will be much higher in Paris next summer, as Olympic gold medals are considered the greatest prize in international basketball. Few of the 12 players who made up the World Cup team may get Olympic invitations, as the USA will have its traditional collection of All-Stars to pick from. But with opening ceremonies only about 10 months away, it’s not too early to think about who should be there.
With Steve Kerr serving as head coach, Warriors star Stephen Curry will be an obvious target. Curry hasn’t played in an international tournament since the FIBA World Championship in 2010, but the NBA’s best-ever three-point shooter would be a perfect weapon in the international game.
Kerr may also push for Klay Thompson, who’s also a deadly shooter but hasn’t been as effective since missing two full seasons with injuries. Draymond Green, who was part of the gold medal winners in the last Olympics, provides versatility and aggressive defense in the frontcourt, but he’ll turn 34 next year.
Age is an issue for several traditional USA Basketball standouts. LeBron James will turn 39 in December, and although he still plays at a high level, it may be tough for him to commit to an Olympic schedule if the Lakers make another long playoff run. The same goes for Kevin Durant, the leading scorer for the 2021 gold medalists, who will celebrate his 35th birthday this month.
Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard and Bam Adebayo are the most obvious candidates to return from the last Olympic team, and Zach LaVine and Jrue Holiday should get consideration as well. That provides plenty of wing scoring, but leaves the U.S. at risk of being undersized.
Joel Embiid would solve the center problem if he commits to the U.S., but he also has French citizenship and France may be aggressive in its pursuit after failing to advance past pool play at the World Cup. Anthony Davis might be the best option if the U.S. can’t land Embiid.
Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Austin Reaves have all impressed in World Cup play and may be asked back for the Olympics. Jimmy Butler, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Julius Randle, Paul George and Ja Morant are current All-Stars who might receive consideration, along with anyone who has a breakout performance in the upcoming season.
We want to get your opinion. If you were putting together USA Basketball’s Olympic roster for 2024, who would make up the core of your team? Please leave your answer in the space below.
Starters: Steph, Booker, Tatum, KD, AD
Bench: Dame, Jru, Bridges, Draymond, Bam, Ant, Mobley
Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges absolutely earned an invite for the Olympics. Every other incumbent spot should be considered up for competition.
Watching Cade Cunningham carve up the US World Cup team in practice makes me think he’ll be worthy of consideration.
Brunson just wasn’t a great fit. -19 in a two-point loss in the semifinals even though most his minutes were with starters.
Starters
Curry Spida Kawhi AD BLopez
Bench
Dame ANT Brown Randle Turner
Smart Kuzma
Think a lot of guys will sit out because of deep playoff runs hence no Booker KD Tatum Jimmy Bam etc. Also think a lot of guys will put there hand up for team USA for the first time or will want to go to the Olympics for the first time.
But there is also always a couple random selections such as LaVine, Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee last time round.
Lopez is kinda random, Kawhi and Spida first timers, but don’t be surprised to see a Myles Turner, Marcus Smart or Kyle Kuzma either
James doesn’t do anything extra. He plays it as safe as possible
Yeah, something tells me these options would perform a little better.
Funny how everybody was calling this the USA B-C team, but the USA “A team” is old af. The torch is supposed to be passed brown to guys like JA & Zion , but we already know what they’re busy doing.
But the “Old Guys” keep winning, while passing to young guys like Tatum, Booker, and Bam.
I’m not guaranteeing they will win next year, but 16 out of 19 Golds says they are the favorites.
I’m not a big Embiid guy. And I know who he is basketball wise. So a guy born in Cameroon. Who also has American and French citizenship. Will play for France cause the Olympics will be held there.
When Rudy and Wemby were born in France. Why would France want him ????
I don’t want him on USA team …..
It was good to see a young USA team in the Worlds. We can all see the world is catching up.
An all star team from USA is not losing to anyone. They shouldn’t lose ONE game. Now they will have something to play for. The world is catching up. But they are not there yet ……..
C’mon Al. I’m no Embiid fanboy but the U.S. needs a true big. Kerr didn’t play small ball in this World Cup, he played tiny ball. He won’t do that in the Olympics, otherwise ‘24 will be his last.
This is not the team that will go to France. Again we don’t need Embiid. We have plenty of centers. Frankly bigs is not the issue imo. It’s Kerr playing them. Banchero, Kessler, Jackson should have played more together. Kerr has forgotten going big.
Banchero and Kessler aren’t ready. If Bam and A.D. sign on they have next to zero chance of making the ‘24 team.
In time Banchero will be all-world, but not next year.
And when I say big, I mean true BIG that can dominate on offensive AND defensive ends. A.D. and Embiid are the only ones who currently fit that description.
AD ???? who’s that.
The soft side of Chicago AD.
Again Kerr is the coach. We are talking about THiS team. They got out rebounded. Is why they lost. If you PLAY your bigs. Banchero, Kessler, Jackson that doesn’t happen.
As far as France. Mitch, Lopez, Allen, Mobley, Turner, Carter, Capella, Knox, AD all can help the Center position. But you have to play them.
This tournament …..
Banchero – 7 gms, 17.3 mins
Jackson – 7 gms, 16.5 mins
Kessler – 7 gms, 8 mins
Which means they never played together. That’s how you get out rebounded .
Embiid is better than Rudy and Victor also every team in the world no exception would want Embiid unless they are being ran by someone stupid
Lol you aren’t a embid guy but you are drooling to have him on your Knicks. My god man .
WTF are you lol ……
You can keep Embiid and your ignorance anywhere you want. We don’t want him in NY. I DONT WANT HIM on KNICKS …..
go back to your hiding spot.
Steph, KD, LeBron, AD, Zion, Kyrie, Booker, Tatum, Bam, Dame, Mikal, Chet/Mobley
Thats what I would try to take on the olympics. Thats a dream team. Maybe Kawhi and PG but because of their age + injury history I find it hard for them to commit. I think Bradley Beal might have a shot as well because he couldnt play in 2020.
It will be the same team as in 21 with no more than 2 new players.
The expiernce factor of having punched out a gold outweighs the sexy athletes all want by a lot.
S. Curry, D. Booker, J. Butler, K. Durant, J. Jackson
D. Fox, D. Bane, A. Edwards, J. Tatum, B. Lopez
M. Bridges and B. Adebayo