Aug 8, 2024; Paris, France; United States shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) celebrates during the second half against Serbia in a men’s basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports Let the debate begin…
Were the Avengers better than the Dream Team?
Was LeBron a greater Olympian than Jordan?
Should they have popped Korbel at the medal ceremony just to further show up the French?
No, not those debates.
Real basketball fans are clamoring to know: Who’s donning the red, white and blue in Los Angeles in four years?
Here’s who I’m inviting:
The Captains: George, Butler, Leonard
May 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter during game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Every great fraternity has legacy bids. The Avengers handed out three … the greatest old-man threesome of all time: LeBron, Durant and Curry. And they even still had something in the tank. Imagine that.
Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard aren’t and never will be LeBron, Durant and Curry. But on their best day, George can fill it up from deep like Curry, Butler can be every bit as clutch as Durant, and a healthy Leonard can be LeBron-like with his brilliance at both ends of the court.
Missed the cut: Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Draymond Green, James Harden, Russell Westbrook.
The Returners: Edwards, Booker, Tatum, Davis, Adebayo
Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on in the fourth quarter against Canada in the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports Jayson Tatum is already counting the days until the LA Memorial Coliseum cauldron is smoking. It’ll be his chance to… maybe play just as little as he did in Paris. International basketball is about perimeter play—ball movement, screening and long-distance shooting. Tatum is a ball-stopping, pick-repulsed clankmeister. He’d be wise to pass on the invitation.
A link to LA and some memorable blocks in Paris assure Anthony Davis a spot, and Bam Adebayo was such a surprise when totally miscast as a stretch-4. He has to have convinced the new coach (Erik Spoelstra?) that he needs to pack just two big men for California.
Steve Kerr rightfully labeled unselfish, bust-his-butt-at-both-ends Devin Booker one of the unsung heroes of the gold medal journey—so good that he relegated Anthony Edwards to the bench in the tournament’s biggest moments. Nobody will be more fired up to play in LA than Edwards.
Missed the cut: Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White.
A floor-stretcher: Chet Holmgren
Oct 9, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center. credits: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports We’ve got legends. We’ve got experience. Now we need to focus on the four corners of international basketball: big men who can shoot, little guys who can light it up from deep, pesty defensive-minded guards, and… well, a potential tournament MVP would be nice.
Let’s start with Chet Holmgren, America’s version of Victor Wembanyama. The perfect international “big man”—he s stands 30 feet from the basket on offense, a foot in front of it on defense, and is equally a difference-maker in both spots.
Missed the cut: Aaron Gordon, Myles Turner, Karl-Anthony Towns.
A shooter: Donovan Mitchell
May 11, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts in the second quarter of game three of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports Four years from now, Paolo Banchero might be an All-NBA first-teamer and a challenger for this spot. Or he can pull a Joel Embiid and play for his dad’s country, Italy. Just what the LA Games need: A French twist. For now, the critical dead-eye shooter spot comes down to Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson. And by shooter, the international game means: Like Caitlin Clark. Advantage: Mitchell.
Missed the cut: Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson.
A defensive stopper: Jaylen Brown
Mar 11, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots a three point jump shot during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle (4) and guard Dalano Banton (5) at Moda Center. credits: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports Yes, the reigning Finals MVP should have made the Paris team. As those unfamiliar with the late Drazen Petrovic and his European clones are now aware, foreign guards are born to shoot, not dribble. Press them nonstop with America’s endless depth, and they are as likely to give the ball away as they are to show fatigue on important late-game shots. Maybe The Avengers didn’t need Jaylen Brown (Jrue Holiday was a nice alternative), but he could be a difference-maker in LA.
Missed the cut: De’Aaron Fox.
A wild card: Ja Morant
Ja Morant. source: Getty Images Every team needs a Curry. You know, the unstoppable force when he gets rolling. Ideally, he’d even run by you, pass around you, and pick your back pocket while you were focused on chasing him around. At times, Ja Morant has been that guy. Four years from now, he will be that guy.
Missed the cut: Zion Williamson.
