The bar is extremely excessive.
The U.S. males’s basketball group has put collectively a few of the finest rosters ever assembled, from the “Dream Group” to the “Redeem Group.”
Now a case might be made that this summer time’s group for the Paris 2024 Olympics possesses as a lot expertise as any of the groups that got here earlier than.
Veterans LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant signify an outdated guard of superstars who’ve dominated the NBA for a era.
It is going to be the 36-year-old Curry’s first time enjoying on the Olympics.
It’s seemingly the final Olympics for James and Durant, too.
Group USA additionally possesses a youthful core prepared to choose up the torch.
Jayson Tatum, together with Group USA teammates Jrue Vacation and Derrick White, powered the Celtics to an NBA championship.
Anthony Edwards helped carry the Timberwolves to the Western Convention finals.
Joel Embiid has received an MVP with the 76ers.
Devin Booker has reached the Finals with the Suns.
Anthony Davis continues to be simply 31 years outdated.
However worldwide opponents have begun closing the hole on the U.S. in recent times.
It looks like yearly lottery picks enter the NBA out of France, most notably.
Canada has turn into a pressure with a golden era of stars, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Serbia is all the time harmful, powered by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
So, Group USA’s spot atop the medal stand will obtain a powerful problem.
Simply take the People’ 101-100 exhibition win over South Sudan during which they narrowly prevented an embarrassing upset of their ramp-up to the Video games.
“We will be beat if we don’t play our model of basketball. And our model of basketball is enjoying protection,” Curry mentioned after Saturday’s sport. “We didn’t make them uncomfortable in any respect within the first half they usually took benefit of it. However we additionally realized we’ve that gear if we will discover it, regardless of who’s on the market on the courtroom, we will overwhelm groups for 40 minutes and it’s an excellent reminder of each.”
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
The contenders
France
Loaded with expertise and rising kids, France will be thought of a heavyweight.
Victor Wembanyama, the reigning NBA Rookie of the 12 months and former No. 1 general decide, and Timberwolves middle Rudy Gobert mix for a menacing frontcourt, and Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier present veteran scoring punch.
Canada
Along with the Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadian roster additionally options Nuggets star Jamal Murray, ex-Knick RJ Barrett and different NBA gamers in Dwight Powell, Andrew Nembhard, Luguentz Dort and Dillon Brooks.
Wild playing cards
Germany
The 2023 FIBA World Cup winners performed the U.S. shut in a 92-88 exhibition thriller.
Germany’s roster has NBA gamers Franz and Moe Wagner along with Dennis Schroder and Daniel Theis.
Spain
La Roja medaled at three straight Olympics earlier than falling to sixth on the Tokyo Video games.
The group has no gamers presently enjoying within the NBA.
Star energy
Serbia
Led by Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP and winner of three of the previous 4 awards, Serbia was trounced, 105-79, by the U.S. in an exhibition on Wednesday.
The group, which additionally options Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, received a silver medal on the FIBA World Cup final yr.
Greece
It helps to have a two-time MVP in your facet.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” can be enjoying in his first Olympics.
