Building The Perfect Roster For Team USA In The 2024 Olympics
Let's build the perfect roster for Team USA after losing to Canada In the Bronze Medal Game!
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Team USA went medal-less in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. They lost to Germany in the semi-finals then to Canada in the bronze medal game. 2 big factors were size and the lack of talent compared to other years. However, according to sources, LeBron James is recruiting stars such as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. If Team USA picks the right players to represent the country, this could be one of the best rosters in the 21st century.
Starters:
PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
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Curry has never played in the Olympics but is expected to play after getting recruited by LeBron James. He has experience playing with team USA as he won 2 gold medals in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. It has always been a dream of James’ to play with Curry. He fits well with James since Curry is the greatest shooter to ever step foot on a basketball court, shooting 42.7% from 3 in the 2022-23 season. With the team that I am going to build, he fits perfectly as the starting point guard.
SG: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
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Booker is the best shooting guard in the NBA. The only guy who might come close is Shai Gilgeous Alexander, but he will play for team Canada. If he decides to suit up for team USA, Booker will almost certainly be the starting shooting guard. He is a very underrated defender, making him able to make up for Stephen Curry’s defensive weaknesses and he also won a gold medal in the 2021 Olympics.
SF: LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers
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James has played in the Olympics 3 times. He won a gold medal in 2008 and 2012 along with a bronze medal in 2004. He also won a bronze medal in the 2006 World Cup and won a gold medal in the 2007 Americas Championship. You can argue that since he will be 39 years old by this time, he should not play. However, the team I will build a team with a lot of wing depth so James does not need to play much. At most, he will play 15 minutes a night. Recruiting stars will take pressure off of James.
PF: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
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Durant is tied for the most gold medals in the Olympics with Carmelo Anthony as they both have 3. Durant won in 2012, 2016, and 2021. He also won the 2010 World Cup. He wants to win his 4th gold medal in the Olympics and break that record. While it is true that he will be 35 years old, he loves the game and is arguably the greatest scorer to ever touch a basketball. Not to mention, he will be reunited with Stephen Curry as they won back to back titles in the 2016-17 season and in the 2017-18 season.
C: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
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There are no elite defenders in the starting 5, so why not grab the best defender in basketball. Davis will be the defensive anchor to this elite team. When he is locked in, not many players are better than him on both the offensive and defensive end. He won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics and also won a gold medal in the 2014 World Cup. He can run the pick and roll with guys like Stephen Curry and LeBron James as well as other guys coming off the bench. He fits perfectly as the starting 5 as a lob threat too.
Bench:
C: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
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Adebayo would be a great option for the backup center spot. This team will have a good bench where the starters can rest and not risk injury. Adebayo can be the replacement for Anthony Davis since they play very similarly to each other. He fits well as a lob threat and an elite defender. Plus, he won a gold medal in the 2021 Olympics.
PG: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
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Brunson played for team USA in the 2023 World Cup. He will not be the backup point guard as I have another guy more talented and a better fit, but he is not a bad option as a 3rd string point guard. He has improved his game since signing with the New York Knicks in the 2022 offseason. He has also proven he can space the floor by shooting 41.6% from 3.
SG: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Edwards was the best player for team USA in the 2023 World Cup. He will almost certainly play in the Olympics. He averaged 18.9 PPG in the 8 games he played. He can score and defend just like many players on the team. He is the most athletic guy on the team so far. He could be the starter if he takes the leap that I think he can for the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Devin Booker is the better player as of now and will get the starting spot.
SF: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
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George is another guy who previously played in the Olympics. He played in 2016 and won a gold medal. George is one of the best two-way wings in ball. He is a perfect fit next to guys like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and others. He can create his own shot as well which is a big part of international basketball. He may choose not to play since he will be a free agent, but this is an ideal roster and George chooses to play.
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
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Though Jackson is not a great rebounder and got exposed in the 2023 World Cup, this team already has good rebounding. Jackson will not have as big of a role as he had in the World Cup. He may not even play 10 minutes a night, but team USA can run lineups with Jackson and Bam Adebayo or Jackson and Anthony Davis. He does not need to play small ball 5 but his 3&D ability would be so valuable to this team.
PG: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
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As previously mentioned, Jalen Brunson is the 3rd string point guard. That is since we have Lillard as the backup point guard. Like most on the team, he has won a gold medal. He won in 2021. Again, if anyone is off, we have guys to replace them. Lillard may not be as talented as Stephen Curry, but he is not a bad replacement. I put defenders around him so his defensive weaknesses do not get exposed.
SF: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
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Tatum could be the starter over LeBron James, but since James is recruiting all of these stars, he will be the starter. However, Tatum will get more minutes than James as he is not only the better player, but he is younger. He has a little bit of experience having won a bronze medal in the 2019 World Cup and won a gold medal in the 2021 Olympics. He fits perfectly as a great defender and one of the best scorers in the NBA.
Honorable Mentions:
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Feel free to comment your thoughts on my team.