Team USA’s recent loss to Germany in the FIBA World Cup may have disappointed fans, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected. History has shown that the U.S. often fields a different caliber of team in the World Cup compared to the Olympics, and there are good reasons behind this strategic choice.
One key factor is continuity. Many foreign countries build their basketball programs on the foundation of a consistent roster, while Team USA tends to favor fresh talent. Stars from the NBA, hesitant to commit to multi-year international commitments, often opt for the Olympics over the World Cup. This leads to a scenario where Team USA assembles its best young talent to compete on the global stage.
The downside of this approach became evident in the loss to Germany. The German team boasted a squad with considerable continuity, a luxury that Team USA couldn’t match. If the U.S. aims to secure gold in Paris, it must rely on its raw talent. Let’s explore what might change for the Olympic roster as Team USA strives to overcome the challenges that the World Cup squad faced.
How Team USA Plans to Evolve Its Olympic Roster After FIBA World Cup Setbacks
One glaring issue highlighted by the loss to Lithuania was the lack of dominant American big men. This deficiency forced Team USA to rely on players like Paolo Banchero, a rookie forward thrust into a center role, and Bobby Portis, an NBA reserve. These makeshift solutions struggled on the boards, an area where Lithuania and Montenegro outperformed them. To address this, Team USA should consider pursuing the MVP – Joel Embiid.
FIBA rules allow each team to include one naturalized citizen in its lineup. Embiid, a naturalized American, has shown interest in representing the United States in the Olympics, though no commitment has been made. France, a strong contender, already boasts Rudy Gobert and the emerging talent of Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt. However, if Embiid chooses Team USA, it would level the playing field considerably in the frontcourt department, allowing Team USA’s stellar perimeter players to shine.
Steve Kerr’s roster decisions may hinge on Embiid’s availability. While alternatives like Chet Holmgren and Evan Mobley are promising, they may not be equipped to handle the likes of Embiid or potentially Nikola Jokic if he represents Serbia. Myles Turner and Brook Lopez had their chance in the 2019 World Cup, and it didn’t yield success. Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo have international experience, but Davis’ injury concerns could limit his participation.
Team USA will undoubtedly have options at center, but selecting the right ones will be the challenge. The MVP-caliber presence of Joel Embiid could be the game-changer the U.S. needs to secure Olympic gold in Paris.
As the anticipation for the 2024 Olympics builds, the decisions made in constructing Team USA’s roster will play a pivotal role in determining whether they can reclaim their dominance on the global basketball stage.