Team USA can create one of the best teams ever in the upcoming 2024 Olympics.
Team USA is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics and it is coming off of a disappointing exit in the 2023 FIBA Tournament, where the USA did not even earn a medal. In fact, Team USA did not win the last two FIBA World Cups, finishing 7th in 2019 before the embarrassing fourth-placed finish in 2023. It is time for the Americans to bounce back and show the world who the real kings of basketball are.
Luckily, the USA is seemingly gathering the Avengers in what can be deemed the “Redeem Team 2.0”. Featuring superstars who have committed to playing for Team USA including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, there is no stopping them on paper. The official 41-man shortlist for Team USA’s 12-man roster has been released and it features an abundance of talent.
Point Guards – Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, Chris Paul, De’Aaron Fox, Jrue Holiday
Shooting Guards – James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Alex Caruso, Tyler Herro, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Derrick White
Small Forwards – LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram
Power Forwards – Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero, Aaron Gordon, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cam Johnson, Bobby Portis
Centers – Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Anthony Davis, Chet Holmgren, Walker Kessler
With so much talent to choose from, it might seem impossible to pick the best 12-man roster from the aforementioned players. However, that is what we will do as we aim to create the perfect USA Team for the 2024 Olympic Games based in Paris.
Point Guards – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard
Eliminated – Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson, Trae Young, De’Aaron Fox, Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday
In selecting the point guards for the perfect 2024 Team USA roster, the choices of Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard bring a formidable combination of skills, experience, and star power. Starting with Stephen Curry, he stands out as the best point guard in the NBA and the best shooter ever. His exceptional scoring ability, highlighted by an impressive 26.7 points per game this season, makes him a potent offensive force. As a veteran at 35 years old, Curry not only provides leadership but also brings unparalleled star power to the team as he is motivated to win his first Olympic Gold Medal.
Kyrie Irving, another seasoned veteran, is renowned for his dominant one-on-one skills. Having won a championship alongside LeBron James in 2016, Irving brings valuable championship experience and a proven ability to perform on the biggest stages. Meanwhile, Lillard, at 33 years old, is a scoring threat capable of dominating the charts. With an average of 25.3 points per game this season, Lillard’s solidified game and leadership add a well-rounded dimension to the point guard position.
In terms of the players eliminated, Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson faced disappointment in the 2023 World Cup, failing to guide Team USA to a medal. While both are talented players, their performance in the World Cup did not match the standards set by Curry, Irving, and Lillard in the past. Trae Young, although a skilled isolation player, is not yet considered on the same level as the chosen trio because he is very ball-dominant and a high usage rate is not what Team USA needs.
De’Aaron Fox’s speed and ball-handling are commendable, but his career 33.2% 3-point percentage impacts his candidacy. Jrue Holiday and Chris Paul are defensive maestros and solid team guys, but their offense at this stage of their careers pale in comparison to Curry, Irving, and Lillard’s. No doubt, the trio of point guards is set.
Shooting Guards – Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell
Eliminated – James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Alex Caruso, Tyler Herro, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Derrick White
The selection of Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell as the shooting guards for the perfect 2024 Team USA roster reflects a combination of scoring excellence at the top of their games right now. Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell stand out as the two best shooting guards currently, possessing a combination of scoring prowess, versatility, and playmaking abilities. Scoring on or off the ball, these players fit the mold of what Team USA needs.
The decision to eliminate James Harden is based on the perceived need for a more team-oriented player. While Harden is known for his scoring ability and isolation play, the focus for Team USA is on unselfish players who prioritize team basketball. Not to mention, Harden might not care too much to show up for Team USA as he tends to have extracurricular activities that mean more to him.
Anthony Edwards, despite being a budding superstar with the number one-seeded Timberwolves in the West, lacks the necessary international experience for Redeem Team 2.0. The importance of experience is highlighted, especially in the context of leading the team in the 2023 FIBA Tournament which did not turn out as expected despite Edwards being the best player on the team.
Desmond Bane’s excellent shooting at 38.4% from three this season is acknowledged, but the lack of experience hinders his case. Scottie Barnes faces a similar challenge as a talented youngster needing to prove himself at the level of Booker and Mitchell because he cannot score on that level at all.
Alex Caruso’s elite defensive skills are acknowledged, but his limitations in scoring and the absence of All-Star credentials impact his selection. Tyler Herro’s score-first mentality aligns with Booker and Mitchell, but his level of play doesn’t match theirs, evident in his 22.0 points per game this season which is below Booker’s (26.7) and Mitchell’s (27.8).
Austin Reaves, while a talented all-around player, falls short of the All-Star level needed for Team USA. Duncan Robinson’s specialization in three-point shooting (41.1%) is recognized, but his limitations in other areas make him less suitable for the diverse needs of the roster. Even Derrick White, a competitive two-way player who is gaining popluairty for his efforts on the court, is simply not the star Team USA needs to redeem themselves from past failures.
Small Forward – LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard
Eliminated – Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram
LeBron James, still The King, remains the face of the NBA and the best leader in the game. At 39 years old, he continues to showcase his dominance, averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. James’ veteran presence and floor general capabilities make him an invaluable asset for Team USA as he will be their leader on and off the floor.
Of course, Kawhi Leonard, known for his prowess on both ends of the court, contributes significantly with 23.7 points per game for the Clippers. His impact as one of the most impactful players of his era makes him an ideal backup to LeBron James, provided he can maintain his health. The eliminated list simply cannot come to LeBron and Kawhi’s level across the board.
Mikal Bridges, while a two-way player, lacks the physical and mental skills of James and Leonard. Jaylen Brown’s athleticism is commendable, but he doesn’t match the versatility displayed by the chosen duo. Jimmy Butler, though making a strong argument more than any of the eliminated players, faces concerns about burnout at 34 years old after deep playoff runs with the Miami Heat.
Paul George, an elite two-way player, acknowledged Leonard’s superiority. Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram, while talented scorers, do not reach the superstar level embodied by James and Leonard and they might never reach that status. In selecting James and Leonard, the emphasis is on creating a small forward duo that combines unmatched skill, leadership, and championship experience.
Power Forward – Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum
Eliminated – Paolo Banchero, Aaron Gordon, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cam Johnson, Bobby Portis
Kevin Durant stands out as the most impactful power forward on the international stage, excelling offensively with an impressive average of 29.6 points per game for the Phoenix Suns. His shooting efficiency (53.1% FG, 46.4% 3-PT FG), scoring versatility, and proven ability to carry Team USA in the most recent Olympics solidify his position as arguably the greatest Team USA player ever and the all-time leading scorer.
Durant’s capability to shoot over defenders makes him a matchup nightmare for any international team because they cannot defend him. As a backup, Jayson Tatum, with an average of 27.0 points per game this season, complements Durant effectively, providing additional scoring prowess and versatility. Tatum’s ability to score against any defender adds a valuable dimension to the power forward position.
The eliminated players cannot make the squad due to a mix of inexperience, lack of scoring ability, and some weaknesses in their games. Paolo Banchero, in only his second NBA season, needs more time to prove himself despite having a physically mature body.
Aaron Gordon, an elite defender, lacks the scoring proficiency displayed by Durant and Tatum, particularly shooting only 28.2% from three this season. Jaren Jackson Jr., a 2023 Defensive Player of the Year winner, has active defensive skills but falls short in rebounding (5.6 RPG). In fact, Jackson Jr’s rebounding was a major factor in why Team USA failed in the 2023 FIBA Tournament.
Cam Johnson, primarily a shooter, faces concerns related to injuries and cannot match the star power of Durant and Tatum. Bobby Portis, known for his toughness and elite defense, cannot surpass Durant and Tatum in overall impact. Team USA needs star power and unstoppable scoring from their power forwards, and none can match Durant and Tatum.
Center – Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo
Eliminated – Jarrett Allen, Chet Holmgren, Walker Kessler
Joel Embiid has stated his desire to play for Team USA and he is welcomed with open arms. The native Cameroonian has a chance to start for Team USA at center, an incredible honor for both parties. The reigning NBA MVP is posting 36.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game this season and looks primed for his third-straight scoring title and second-straight MVP award. Team USA needs to match up with superstars Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Embiid is the perfect player to do that. As the best scorer in the world right now, Embiid might make Team USA unstoppable.
Anthony Davis has had a dominant season, averaging 25.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, and is a contender for Defensive Player of the Year. Despite his injury history as he can be out of action at any moment, he is a sure-fire member for Team USA because he is dominant defensively and has perfect chemistry with the leader of the squad, LeBron James. International teams seeing the back of Embiid as he heads to the bench will have to deal with one of the most skilled big men ever. In other words, this center duo will prove to be overkill.
To make matters even more difficult for the rest of the world, Bam Adebayo brings his elite defensive skills and basketball IQ to the table. Another contender for Defensive Player of the Year, Adebayo will hold down the fort defensively and the trio of bigs shows that no team in the world can compete with America’s big men depth.
Jarrett Allen is an active big man who blocks shots and rebounds the ball, but he is quite offensively inept and struggles to impact the game on the level of Embiid, Davis, and Adebayo on both ends of the court. Chet Holmgren and Walker Kessler are still very early on in their careers and have a ton to prove to be on the level of All-Star players ahead of him.
Team USA’s Greatest Team For The 2024 Olympics
PG – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard
SG – Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell
SF – LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard
PF – Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum
C – Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo
The assembled roster for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics is a modern basketball “Dream Team”, featuring an unparalleled combination of skill, experience, and star power across every position. The backcourt trio of Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard brings an extraordinary blend of shooting, playmaking, and leadership. Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell, two of the league’s best shooting guards, provide an explosive scoring punch from the wings.
The swingman position boasts the incomparable duo of LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, both proven champions with versatile skill sets. In the frontcourt, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum bring scoring prowess and versatility as power forwards, while Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo form a formidable rotation at the center position. This star-studded lineup, reminiscent of the iconic Redeem Team of 2008 led by Kobe Bryant, positions Team USA as the clear favorite to secure gold in the 2024 Olympics.
It is also important to look at Team USA’s competition. Serbia has Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player in the world right now, but he can’t go 1-on-12 in terms of superstars. The same goes for Greece and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Slovenia, Dennis Schroder and Germany, and Canada led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Even France can have a massive lineup with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, but they lack the leadership the Americans can bring.
With a combination of shooting, playmaking, defensive prowess, and veteran leadership, Team USA’s Avengers, headlined by LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, have the potential to dominate the competition and potentially go undefeated. This iteration of Team USA aims to rectify the disappointments of the 2003 FIBA Tournament and establish themselves as the Redeem Team 2.0.
