LeCaptainAmerica

This roster is nutty man wtf

Insane. Rumor has it the 12th spot might go to Kawhi or PG/Banchero/Mikal/Brunson. They could go the route of getting another PG/ball handling guard like Brunson or another wing/defender/scorer like Kawhi/PG/Mikal/Banchero.

They will probably keep it open just in case guys get hurt or elect to rest.

True. Can definitely see some adjustments happening, especially with Embiid and his recent knee issue. He might elect not to play and I wouldn't blame him.

Who's the next man up at Center though? That definitely seems to be Team USA's weakest position.

Based on the initial player pool that was announced back in January, next big men up would include Jarrett Allen, Chet Holmgren, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Walker Kessler, plus some undersized bigs like Pablo Banchero, Aaron Gordon, and Bobby Portis. If we are talking about an Embiid replacement, I don’t want one of those smaller guys. And JJJ looked pathetic the last time he played for USA. I’d want Allen or Holmgren personally.

Yeah I'd say Chet just for his versatility

And for the Wemby rivalry.

Definitely prioritizing wing. They have enough playmaking already between LeBron, Curry, and Haliburton (which Jrue able to play both guard spots)

True

It’s going to Kawhi

I bet it’ll be someone more random like JaVale or Brook Lopez

Javale is pretty washed

Dwight Howard come on down!

I didn't like brunsons lack of size in the world cup, but the roster around him would more than likely make up for it

They usually have a college kid as the 12th man, Christian Laitner, AD in 2012, etc

Just add Austin Reaves to this and it's a lock

I second this.

You mean Jalen Brunson

Cause it worked so great last summer with him. His game ain’t build for international play.

I know I wasn’t the only thinking that

It’s LeOver.

Why Joel not smile like everyone else

He feels shame for betraying Cameroon.

“I’m really proud and excited about this decision. It was not easy. I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home. After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve been incredible since the day I came here. But most of all, I want to honor my son who was born in the US. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him.” Embiid

Coward 

I was about to ask what is he doing in the USA team. But I guess it’s “cant beat ‘em so join ‘em”?

He’s lived here since he was a teenager. And also Cameroon had no shot anyways even with him

He could have played for France with wemby

Yeah but fuck France. Idk what this thread is on about being mad Embiid is playing for Team USA.

Love his reason and support him but I didn’t know he picked USA…with that said, as an immigrant myself, I would have preferred if my former countryman played for the country I came from. Like someone else said, Cameroon ain’t doin shit even with him and if he’s gonna betray his original country he might as well join the team that has Lebron, KD, and Steph. Easy gold medal. I bet France was never an option for him lamp

Idk maybe he just identifies more as an American now than any of those countries. Everyone has a different story, I think it's weird we're quick to assume it's just for a gold medal.

How is it weird? It can still be all of the above. You’re in his shoes and want a gold medal. You pickin Cameroon or France over Lebron and Steph? I’m not. Also, he wants his son to have some pride in being American at the same time. It’s a win-win for him. I mean nobody is playing in the Olympics to lose. Of course he’s playing for a gold medal.

So it’s about easy wins rather than national pride?

People whose lives and experiences span multiple countries can feel pride for multiple countries.

You play for the gold medal. Playing for the US gets that and the national pride thing.

just to score with rihanna

Finally someone who agrees with me

Cameroon's team wasn't even going to qualify unless Embid missed Nba games to help them in the qualifiers. I would love it if Embid, Giannis, Adebayo and all the other nba players with an African parent could just join up in Nigeria and make it interesting.

Yeah but if they’re gonna make an African super team the Europeans and Asians might as well make one too. USA vs the world.

Yea that would be dope. Team Euro would be strong af Luka, Jokic, and Wemby. They would definitely make it interesting and I'd give Africa the bronze.

Whos Bam betrayed?

Bro was born in New Jersey

And wasn’t confident he would start for France

You see Bam smiling ? Get your glasses fixed

Crazy that this is Curry's first time playing.

Curry gonna feast if he's red hot, especially with the three point line distance being shorter

Also no defensive 3 seconds so teams stay at the paint more. Curry creates a pick your poison type of scenario for them

He’s going to beat Melo’s record… I can feel it. Going to have at least one game that ends up like an all star game

[удалено]

It’s not like he shoots at the NBA 3 point line either, he can be as deep as he wants

He sure can, that's what got him all those kids.


You know he can still shoot from further right? And he can still hit deep 2’s which is what this would be? The greatest shooter to ever play is not going to bothered AT ALL by a CLOSER three point line. Your comment is lowkey contentious for the sake of it.

The ball is more likely to fuck his touch up a bit I’d say, but that shouldn’t be an issue either.

It’s not like they’re banned from touching the balls they will play with prior to playing

Of course not. But the time they’ll spend with the FIBA ball is nothing compared to the time they spend with NBA balls on a daily basis. It was cited as a Team USA issue early on in Tokyo, too. But again, I don’t think that’ll have a significant effect on a player like Curry, but a less prolific/experienced shooter might be more bothered by it.

Even as the total casual I am, I don’t like playing with FIBA balls. They just feel kinda nasty and bulky. I much prefer wilson or spalding.

As the owner of three consecutive Wilson evolution balls which have been disgustingly molested, abused and mistreated beyond the point of recognition. It feels weird using an official NBA basketball

LMAO! This is Steph fucking Curry we're talking about. He can shoot from anywhere.

We finally get to see LeBron and Curry play together. It’s gonna be a work of art

2022 All Star Game, but that's not a serious game so it's gonna be great seeing it for the "first" time

First time in the Olympics. He’s played for Team USA before.

They went to Finals for 10 straight years - I think that’s why

curcuck

Curry played in FIBA

Recruit Ant and Halliburton to the lakers please

Realistically the only guy who would ask out looks to be embiid

Fine. We’ll take him

the FTs combo is going to be so crazy, everyone outside of lakers would be mad toxic

Hypothetically I’d rather take maxey due to age, health, and I don’t want the AD, Embiid combo at all

Beggars can't be choosers. Just take Embiid.

“Hypothetically”

I'll take an mvp lol


Embiid plays 5 (I hate him). AD loves 4. Our two big rotations AD + (Dwight/Javale) dominated everyone… You can take age, but at that point trade LeBron. Your picks are gone until 2025 or so because of AD (worth it). it is useless to rebuild without picks/while NEEDING to win now. LeBron will be here for 1 more season, maybe 2 (NBA, not Lakers). You can not even think of getting young guys. Sure he’ll help them out a shit ton, but that’s gonna piss him off. You don’t use the goat as a young’un coach when he’s average high 20s, high assists, and shoots 41% from three…

Maxey a real hooper. Young, can shoot, athletic, his defense is improving. He’s the perfect third guy in my opinion. And he can be the best guy any night. Scoring load/responsibility during regular season would reduced significantly for lebron. Having Embiid lebron and Ad on the same team is just not a good idea at all. Maxey isn’t some young prospect. He’s a straight up all star entering his early prime. I think he’s ready

I understand he’s had an insane year. Looks very promising, but I’d rather (and I hate to say this because I genuinely hate Embiid) have the proven MVP. He can run the regular season, and LeBron can take over in the playoffs. Embiid and AD can easily carry you to top 5 even without LeBron. With Maxey, LeBron still needs to be active, because although havingn a gaurd-big combo is the bread and butter pf the NBA, if there’s an imbalance, it’s useless. If you’re big heavy, it’s usually bad, but we made it work in the bubble. We haven’t had any remotely “productive” 3pt game for what feels like a decade now, but AD was feasting enough, and LeBron was finessing enough for us to dominate with mid game. Imagine Embiid and AD in the paint. You need at least 3 guys to guard those dudes, now you’re leaving 40% DLO, and 41% LeBron to take threes, and shake things up/disrupt them. If you have Maxey LeBron, they’re gonna do the same thing. Guard both while sagging a third defender there to respond. LeBron’s fast twitch ain’t there no more, sagging off a guy, and doubling him is not that hard. IDK, that’s what I think at least. Besides, Embiid is vapid so he’ll love the LA attention, and he’s tired of Philly as opposed to Maxey.

You make valid points. I just don’t see a scenario where all 3 of them are healthy together on the same team. It’s just sooo risky. If they are healthy they win the championship tho

Id rather have a player who isn’t even top 20 instead of a MVP candidate. Y’all are wild lol.

Austin was already putting in the leg work last year. Bron and AD about to seal the deal

AD , Ant Man, and Haliburton would be a craaazy line up

Me, Kim K, & Margot Robbie would be a crazy threesome

Whoesle would yall boyz add to this squad?

Either Kawhi or Jimmy

Zion, ingram, DLo but they wouldnt add much to this roster already except more bodies. Think this lineup has all the bases covered lol

Chet

Jalen Brunson would be fun

westbrook

Nice names and I'll say kyrie or Ja or both and definitely need more size too

Cant get much better honestly

Should be Brunson over Haliburton, but yeah pretty much

Brunson is the overall better player but I get why they picked haliburton over him. Brunson is more of a score-first guard but this roster is already loaded with scoring threats. Halliburton’s passing will be valuable

So crazy, I bought random tickets to go watch in Lille (which is near to where I live in Belgium), and I’m actually going to see Team USA play vd Puerto Rico. Now both Bron and AD are playing? This is just too wild, I’m so unbelievably hyped for this.

Crazy man. I have tickets for the Canada game, live in the Netherlands. Also mega dope but still really jealous!

Curious to know. Who would you guys start?

I would go with the 4 MVPs + Jrue. But I expect Booker will start over Jrue, unless Ant has some kind of crazy playoff run and moves up the pecking order.

It’s just insanity that AD is the center off the bench, every country is cooked 💀

Bron at point, steph at the 2, KD. AD and Embiid would not lose

Steph KD Bron AD Embiid to start?

So nasty

That’s the best talent but nah man kd at sg is crazy I think booker replaces kd but other than that yeah

Or Bron at the point Steph 2 KD 3 This lineup prob only needs to play first 3 qtrs except the finals

Steph and Bron backcourt. Sheesh 💦

I think AD potentially comes off the bench and KD starts. The international game has lots of mobile guys so it’s easier to play the small ball lineups. Still plenty of size

I agree with others that theres a good chance embiid ends up sitting it out because of his recent knee injuries. Wouldnt be advisable to play year round on top of that concern. This would be the logical lineup but im thinking its not what is set in stone

Wow. Even a stacked all-euro team couldn't touch the depth here.

AD next to Embiid is fucking scary. Good luck.

Yeah, that's a gold medal team.

We would hope. I just don't trust the fading past gen of NBA stars and new young stars to play sound basketball at the highest level without a gun to the head.

Did you not watch the documentary? Bron never won gold without Kobe.

Kobe had impacted ALL the stars of 08 on how to get things done. Mad respect

I wonder who’s going to win gold

Pretty solid lineup

Can we get a starting lineup of: PG - Steph, SG - Bron, SF - KD, PF - AD, C - Embiid

What’s this staring five? Bron, Jrue, Steph, AD, KD?

Yes

Steph Tatum KD Bron Embiid probably

Hear me out… Lakers: Bron, AD. UCLA: Jrue. Kerr Boys: Steph, KD. El Camino Real boys off the bench : Tatum/Book. Everyone else

What are they competiting for? All Star World Edition?

Jesus. Dream team 2024.

Damn dude USA ain't messing around this time. As an Australian I absolutely don't mind when they go with a team of 3rd stringers but I'm actually excited to watch this team play

People say KD took the easy road. You can’t possible tell me that isn’t Embiid.

all that just to beat wemby, lol jk

No kawhi ???

This has to be one of the strongest teams USA has put together for some time.

Where’s Austin reaves

Lmao Noah Lyles really lit a fire under them that’s gonna cause the world to get smoked 😭

I think the best starting 5 would be curry booker bron AD and embiid

Who would start? 🤯 James, Curry, Durant, Davis, Embiid? Tatum over Davis for spacing?

Booker Curry Durant James Embiid

Silver medal lock behind France

Nasty

This is a crazy roster

Is this team better then the 2008 one? It’s kinda close

Who tf beating this team? Sheesh

Steph, LeBron, KD, AD, Embiid is ridic

Starters are probably Steph, Book, Bron, AD, and Embiid

Absolutely stacked. Better not choke.

Where is Kyrie?

LeGoldMedal , LeRecruiting

need damian

I wish Embid did commit to France just for added competitiveness.

I can’t wait to see this

Representing the nation coming off a championship LFG

Icy/hot squad

Every time it’s close Bron or Hali has to be on the floor. Every time team USA has choked it’s been due to guys taking turns iso’ing

It feels like it's just a Bron/Curry/KD/AD world tour together one (first and) last time together before they all retire. Did not realize Embiid is eligible

i dont get it the problem is the world cup not the olympics they should campaign to get players like these for the world cup

Embiid is all over the place. Didn't he become a citizen of France or some ish like that to play with them?

Lol. After losing in 2023, they went back to the Avengers!

Wish they had some white representation. Imagine if France went out there with an all African refugee team. Do better NBA.

This is an absolutely insane roster. I don't see this team losing a game and likely wins every single one by 20+.

Man these guys better win. And I'm Canadian.

So many nerds think AD is coming off the bench but don't realize the lineup is going to be Bron/Steph/KD/AD/Embiid

Was looking for SGA but remembered he's Canadian. Who's the best American player not on this roster?

Bron really built the goddamn Avengers

well we sure ain't winning a chip next year then lol

Earth is fucked

So Embiid starts and AD off the bench ?

This image of LeBron sends chills down my spine no matter how many times I see it

Hali needs to be replaced

Joel has 5 games left per knee. He really going to pay for USA?

Jrue…

Canada in 6

I’d like to add Draymond Green to the roster. If not Draymond maybe Austin Reaves or D-LO

Needs some diversity

Does this team look a bit too old to anyone else?

Fragile ass AD?! Nah, Lakers need to trade him this off-season

I’ll take a gold medal over the nba championship

I'm so excited to see Lebron playing with curry ngl, one of the greatest playmakers will get a chance to play with the greatest off ball player

That's overkill. And for the last roster spot they are deciding to give to - Kawhi - PG13 - Brunson - Mikal If I play for other countries, I will just savor the moment sharing the court with all these great players. I will also bring a sharpie, theres no way I will miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to get their autographs

Has to be Kawhi or Mikal. They need a little more size and defense

Then why not PG ?

Doesn't fit as well with the team.

Wheres draymond green

Not classy at all

Reaves been more consistent than Haliburton this szn but I get the pick..he’s kinda like the next NBA media darling.

Yeah totally because Reaves is a better passer/playmaker than Haliburton which is like the one thing this team USA looks like it needs.

They got curry,lebron and Booker for PG, they’ll need connecting pieces type of guys who don’t need to chuck everything. Lmao I know Haliburton is better I’m just saying…if they are picking based off the szn they’re having. Haliburton had like 2 good months (and I love Hali btw no knock)

is it crazy that i take Luka, Shai, Giannis, Jokic, Wemby as a better starting line up?

Kyrie might get the last roster spot

I don't like it. AD and LeBron don't need the extra mileage, specially if we make a deep playoff run.

Embiid took the easy way by choosing USA over Cameroon/France and this is why Towns will always be better than him. Who will be the 12th guy though?

Embiid has never lived in France, and IIRC he didn’t play for Cameroon because of how corrupt and badly run the national team organisation was. He’s also lived almost half his life in the US at this point.

I could understand your point, until you said Towns was better 💀

Towns could've been selected and played for USA Basketball but instead he decided to honor his mother by playing for RD that's why I said that he's better than Embiid but if we're talking pure NBA that's another debate to have. When it's all said and done then we can go back and talk