Colin Cowherd of The Herd on Fox Sports 1 was talking about Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid on his show on Monday. Team U.S.A. Played against Serbia in the Olympics in Paris, France on Sunday. Team U.S.A. won over Serbia 110-84, but Embiid was a non-factor for the United States. He only scored four points and grabbed two rebounds. They trailed early in the game with Joel Embiid on the floor. Head Coach Steve Kerr benched him in favor of Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers.
In that game, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds for team Serbia. Many people view him as the best player in the world right now. Jokic has won the last three of four NBA MVPs and the only other MVP in that span was Joel Embiid. Cowherd said this about Joel Embiid on his show on Monday:
“He is the most overhyped, coddled, and over-discussed player in the NBA.”
There is no question that he is correct in this statement. Embiid is often hurt and has yet to lead the 76ers to at least a conference finals appearance in the Eastern Conference. Everyone in the past wants to blame it on Ben Simmons, who was also a no-show when it mattered most for Philadelphia, but Joel Embiid is the leader of the 76ers. Team U.S.A. has a lot of talent on the roster. With more games coming up, what will Steve Kerr do with the rotation?
Anthony Davis Needs To Start
Anthony Davis needs to be the starting center for team U.S.A. in place of Joel Embiid. He just seems to be a better fit on the floor. Davis is used to playing with LeBron James on the Lakers. Bam Adebayo was also effective on the floor for the United States at the center position. Those are the three big men on the roster. Adebayo was the starting center for the Miami Heat this past season and may be under consideration to start in the next game.
LeBron James is no doubt the best player for team U.S.A. He is still providing energy at 39 years old and has been playing at a high level. James will need to continue playing at a high level if they want to win the gold medal. The x-factor off the bench the other day for them was Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. Durant could not miss from anywhere on the floor and is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He might be the second-best player in the league and could also start for America.
It is no surprise that Steph Curry is in the starting lineup and he should be. What was inexcusable for the States in the first game was Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics not playing at all. Tatum just won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics this past season and it was disrespectful to him that he was not on the floor. If Jayson Tatum does not play at all in the next game, it will be a massive head-scratcher.
There is a lot to be decided before the next game for team U.S.A. Even though they have a lot of talent on this roster, Joel Embiid needs to come off the bench. Anthony Davis, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Steph Curry should be the starting lineup for America in their next Olympic game. This would be a very effective offensive lineup because there are scorers all over the floor. Also, don’t sleep on Anthony Edwards moving forward.
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