Recruiting fellow NBA superstars
The good news for the USA is that LeBron James wants to be back on the team because USA Team’s Disappointing Finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, After a disheartening loss to Canada, securing the third position in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Team USA finds itself at a crossroads.
The absence of most of the NBA’s top American talent from the FIBA roster raises questions about their prospects for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
LeBron James: Eyeing Olympic Redemption
LeBron James has expressed a keen interest in participating in the 2024 Olympics, recruiting fellow NBA superstars to bolster Team USA’s chances in Paris.
At 39 years old during the next Summer Games, James is eager to make a statement alongside his seasoned peers, including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jason Tatum, and Draymond Green.
James notably missed the Olympics since 2012, a period when Team USA secured gold medals without him. Durant, on the other hand, was a key member of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics squad that clinched gold and even earned MVP honors.
Curry, who has never played for Team USA in the Olympics, aims to complete his illustrious career with an elusive gold medal.
The Challenge Ahead
While these seasoned stars, along with emerging talents like Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox, and Khris Middleton, express interest in representing Team USA, the competition in the next Summer Olympics could be fierce.
The absence of commitment from some top players highlights the need for a robust roster, especially when facing formidable international opponents.
Size is a crucial factor for Team USA in the upcoming Olympics, as many top American talents are not physically imposing.
This might pose a challenge when competing against teams like Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, or France, featuring Rudy Gobert and rising star Victor Wembanyama.
Joel Embiid’s decision, as the reigning MVP, could significantly impact Team USA’s suitability for the Olympics. However, his choice between representing the USA or playing for France may have repercussions for both nations.
Building a Balanced Roster
Grant Hill and the rest of Team USA’s brain trust have ample time to assess the composition of a balanced roster.
Ensuring that the upper echelons of the roster are adequately sized will be pivotal. Still, if LeBron, Curry, and Durant are committed, it may not matter much, as these three veterans alone could be formidable competitors on the international stage.
NBA Superstars Consider Joining Team USA for 2024 Paris Games
Sources have informed ESPN that there is considerable interest from NBA superstars, including former gold medalists LeBron James and Anthony Davis, in joining the USA basketball team for the 2024 Paris Games. Even Stephen Curry is contemplating an Olympic debut.
Reports suggest that Curry is intrigued by the prospect of playing under his Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr.
Several players who were part of the 2021 gold medal-winning team in Tokyo but did not participate in the FIBA World Cup during the offseason, such as Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, and two-time gold medalist Draymond Green, are also eyeing a comeback, according to sources.
Chris Paul, who won gold in 2008 and 2012, is also exploring another Olympic run, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Kyrie Irving, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, is hopeful of making a return to the team.
The addition of Joel Embiid, who holds both U.S. and French citizenship but has remained loyal to the Philadelphia 76ers, adds depth to the team.
Health is expected to play a significant role in the team’s performance, with James, Davis, and Embiid all dealing with various injuries at the end of the recent season.
The 38-year-old James previously won gold in 2004, as well as in 2008 and 2012. Davis claimed gold in 2012 and was part of the FIBA World Cup-winning team in 2014 when he last played for Team USA.
The past three major international basketball tournaments have been held in Asia, and changes in the schedule and COVID have presented challenges to Team USA, as they promised to field a competitive roster against superstars from Germany, Serbia, and Canada.
USA Basketball executive director Grant Hill has mentioned that playing in this year’s World Cup was not a necessity for the Olympic team.
While the United States has won the gold in basketball in the past four Olympics, they have only won two of the last six World Cups.
There were concerns about the competitiveness of the German, Serbian, and Canadian teams when it was rumored that a group of Avengers-like players would be assembled to assist American basketball in the Olympics.
LeBron James, in particular, has stated to The Times that he is not authorized to speak publicly but is keen on playing in Paris next summer, bringing along top American NBA players to help erase the disappointment of missing out on the fourth-place finish in the FIBA World Cup.
Reports indicate that other players who are interested in participating in the 2024 Olympics include Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Draymond Green.
Players like Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo from the 2020 gold-winning roster could also boost the talent on the American roster.
After leaving the latest international matchups (and in some cases, a delay to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics), why are they so eager to play now? What can we expect from the team participating in the World Cup? And ultimately, will it make a difference?
The draw for these Olympics is clear. National pride is one thing, but the Olympics in one of the world’s greatest cities, especially one that garners so much attention and marketing opportunities, is quite another.
Paris (which is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles) compares favorably with Tokyo (9 hours ahead of New York, 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles), and there are no longer any COVID-19 restrictions in Tokyo. A more “ordinary” Olympic experience is an easy sell for everyone involved—fans and athletes alike.
Regarding James, these Olympics will likely be an international farewell, as he approaches definite retirement. A good vintage summer, winning basketball, and global popularity are certainly in his alley.
And you can bet the entire journey will be filmed, ready to be packaged and sold as a documentary when the time comes.
Members of Team USA have been privately working on James’s pitch for months, and recent hints (including an “eyes” emoji in a post suggesting advice to the entire Team USA roster) suggest that selling may not be as tough, provided he stays healthy.
And there’s no guarantee of that. James ended his season with a sprained ankle, and issues with injury are undoubtedly a concern during the Lakers’ run to the Western Conference Finals.
For weeks, Team USA’s version that participated in the World Cup was a beautiful story. While it’s challenging to put together a roster loaded with NBA players who play in different systems, this roster featured only four shared All-Star appearances.
Austin Reaves, who went undrafted two seasons ago, averaged 13.8 points on 56.6% shooting and ended up as the team’s second-leading scorer behind former No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards. Issues, however, were primarily on the defensive end, where Team USA was significantly undersized compared to the typical competition.
The NBA, while supporting centers who stretch the floor and provide space, isn’t entirely predicated on big people on the glass, so it’s not as though the league is heavily stocked with tall Americans who can dominate on the boards. Riley Walker, the cut roster, has partly put together a roster for this reason.
While they had more high-end talent than anyone they had ever played with, they didn’t have the best player in the tournament. And even with James, Davis, Curry, and Irving, that might still be the case.
Tony Parker was the fifth-most valuable player in the NBA voting in 2012 after leading the league’s most successful franchise to a remarkable 56-26 record.
Since then, Americans have finished in the top five of MVP voting only 10 times overall, with international players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic dominating the top spots after the 2019 vote.
Embiid, who holds French and American citizenship, could serve as a valuable asset for Team USA, addressing the physicality issues faced by Americans in international play.
However, in the long run, the relative lack of American players in the top awards in the league points to potential challenges for Team USA in the future.
The Best American Players – Old, Injured (LeBron James), or Disorderly (Ja Morant)?
Counting them out completely is not possible, but as the issue gets more complex, it seems international competition might be more significant for other nations.
Under the leadership of James, the Stars Group won’t solve significant issues.
The sport is becoming increasingly global, with the best talent coming from overseas positions. But Americans can still assemble a team with enough talent to mitigate their ongoing challenges.
No Locks Anymore; Well, at least for now.
This statement holds true for a brief period, but under James’ leadership, the group might give the U.S. a fighting chance in Paris.
Manila, Philippines — A Pleasant Time for USA Basketball.
With the American All-Stars and role players winning gold medals in their necks at the Tokyo Olympics, speculations were already rife that the Paris Games would turn the spotlight towards this country.
Better Late Than Never for 2024 Olympics.
With just over a year left for the 2024 Olympics, and USA’s disappointing fourth-place finish in the FIBA World Cup on Sunday, only three current All-Stars and men’s national team roster member have any prior experience with the former Paris ordeal.
LeBron James, Three-time Olympian, Two-time Gold Medalist, and NBA All-Time Scorer, Is Ready for One More Olympic Run.
James’ interest in another Olympic run next summer is so profound that he has pressed multiple stars to commit to it. He’s called Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Jason Tatum, and Draymond Green.
James Has Talked to Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Jason Tatum, and Draymond Green About Playing Together.
Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, and Dallas’ Khris Middleton have also shown a serious interest in the commitment, league sources said.
Under the leadership of Anthony Edwards and Michael Bridges, USA’s World Cup Team had an Excellent Start Despite the Loss.
James, who hasn’t played for Team USA since the 2012 London Games and turns 39 in December, and Durant, a three-time Olympian and two-time gold medalist who will turn 35 next summer, view the Paris Games as a potential “last dance” with USA Basketball, sources said.
Tatum, Green, and Lillard all were gold medalists in Tokyo, and Durant was the MVP of that team.
USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill is well aware of James and other prominent American stars’ interest, but he has declined to comment further on the matter.”
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