4 Biggest Olympic Storylines For The USA Men’s Basketball Team

With the Olympics underway, the basketball world has shifted its attention away from the NBA and focused on the happenings in Paris. The NBA’s biggest stars have all made the trip to France and are representing their home countries, hoping to take home gold. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all have aspirations to take down Team USA and shock the world. But is it possible? What are the headlines for Team USA’s men’s basketball team this year?

The 4 Biggest Olympic Storylines For The USA Men’s Basketball Team

LeBron’s Farewell Tour

The last two exhibition games in which the USA Men’s Team played made it abundantly clear that it is LeBron James’ team. He had 20 points in their 101-100 victory over South Sudan and 25 points in their 92-88 win over Germany. In these two games, the ball was always in his hands, and at the end of games, it was him taking the last shot. James was the USA’s flag bearer and has become the clear leader of the team and even the nation. But as great as this storyline might be, one has to wonder if it is the smartest route for USA Men’s Basketball.

James’ ball dominance led to closely contested matches against inferior opponents in South Sudan and Germany. Earlier games like those against Canada and Serbia saw less of a LeBron James-centric offense, resulting in blowout wins. Team USA is by far the most talented basketball team at the Olympics, with elite players at every position, yet they are choosing to emphasize the greatness of him rather than their incredible depth. All-NBA players Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker have been relinquished to catch-and-shoot players who stand around and watch him try to make things happen. Tatum, Booker, and all of the other uber-talented players have never been in an off-ball role, which could hurt some feelings. Yes, the USA will probably still win the gold medal, and his farewell tour will be epic. But yes, the USA will probably play in several close games, maybe even lose one or two, which will cause the entire nation to panic. 

Is Kevin Durant Healthy?

An essential piece of the puzzle for the USA is Kevin Durant’s health. He missed all five exhibition games with a calf injury, and Steve Kerr has been somewhat mysterious with his updates. It is said that Durant will return for the USA’s game on Sunday against Serbia, but he may not be fully healthy and definitely won’t be in peak form. The USA is so loaded with superstars that one player being injured likely won’t matter, but KD is a big one to miss. Durant has a claim to be the best men’s basketball olympian ever, and winning his fourth gold medal this year would further cement this legacy. Durant is already the USA men’s leading scorer in Olympic history with 435 points in 22 games, 19.3 points per game. Durant’s mix of elite shooting, size, and unselfishness makes him the perfect international basketball player, and he is someone that Team USA could really use. Team USA should win gold no matter what, but Durant would bring a level of experience and confidence that could help lead the team forward.

Who Are The Closing Five?

Some of the USA basketball team’s most dramatic aspects of every Olympic cycle come with playing time. With 12 of the best players in the world on the same team, it is hard to strike a balance between putting the best five on the court and keeping everyone happy. With great success often comes the belief that you are the best, so none of these superstars will want to be benched. That being said, it usually ends up being eight to nine players that touch the court in important games, with the closing five being the most critical. Derrick White and Tyrese Haliburton are the most obvious choices for riding the bench, with Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker closely behind. Out of the eight players left, LeBron James, Steph Curry, and a healthy Kevin Durant are locked to be in the final five. Next, Kerr will choose Jrue Holiday over Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum for Holiday’s defense and proven off-ball ability.

That leaves Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid for the center spot. While Joel Embiid may be the most talented player on the entire roster, Anthony Davis is the best option. When the game is on the line, Embiid’s questionable fitness and necessary slow pace are not something the USA should want. Davis brings versatility at the center spot that will shore up any holes on the offensive and defensive end. Furthermore, in the fourth quarter, when the ball is in LeBron James’ hands, Embiid’s presence in the paint will clog up the driving lanes and prevent LeBron from getting to the rim. If the USA wants to win gold, the closing five must be Curry, Holiday, James, Durant, and Davis. 

Will They Win Gold?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, but there will be some bumps. Team USA is by far and away the most talented roster. However, several other national teams are deep with NBA-level talent and could pose a threat to the stars and stripes.

First, the host nation, who has the most size out of anyone in the field. Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert are as good of a defensive duo as you can get, and France also has veterans Nicholas Batum and Evan Fournier. The problem for France is their lack of guards. Frank Ntilikina is the best point guard they have, and the USA’s guards far outmatch him. If the USA and France face off, it will likely have to be a three-point shooting game by Steph Curry.

The next team that could cause trouble for the USA is Serbia; that’s because if the two teams played, Serbia would have the best player on the court- Nikola Jokic. Around Jokic, the Serbs have Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, and several other good shooters and passers that complement their star big man. Containing Jokic will be a problem for the USA, but their depth should be too much for Serbia. Also, when the two teams faced off in an exhibition game, USA won 105-79.

Next up is Germany. Germany’s national team is built for international play, and they are a tight-knit group that has been playing together for years. Daniel Theis and Mo Wagner bring size, Franz Wagner brings playmaking and defense, and Dennis Schroder brings star power. While he may not be an elite player in the NBA, Schroder averages almost 20 points per game for Germany, bringing a fearlessness to the court that inspires his teammates. The exhibition game between the two teams was extremely close, and a matchup in the tournament’s later stages would be a tough test for the USA.

Finally, team Canada may be the second-best team in the field. They have stars in Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and elite defense in Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort. Canada’s biggest question is its size. At center, they have Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, and Trey Lyles, all of whom can be exploited. Joel Embiid must prove his worth in a potential matchup with Canada and take advantage of their big men. Team USA should be able to maximize their roster and easily win the gold medal- if they don’t, it would be a complete and utter disaster.

Olympic basketball is always entertaining, and this year should be no different. The Dream Team won in 1992, the Redeem Team won in 2008, and now the 2024 Team USA has a chance to win gold and put their names in the history books.

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