Team USA basketball coach Steve Kerr was asked about lineup starting lineup changes at his press conference earlier today. Kerr said that “The next few games, he would be experimenting”. This answer stemmed from a reporter asking if Embiid would continue to start at the five with his struggles in the USA versus Canada game. The question from basketball fans, experts, and media members is whether Joel Embed should be starting over Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo.
Embiid fouled out of the USA’s opening exhibition game versus Canada last week. While being one of the best players in the NBA, he has constantly faced criticism for not being able to get his Sixers team over the hump in the playoffs. This criticism has made its way over to Team USA.
With so many great players on Team USA, coach Steve Kerr will be criticized if he gives minutes to a player who is struggling. Steve Kerr has implied that he will be doing a lot of lineup shifting before their opening group play match. The 2024 Paris Olympics starts in less than two weeks. It’s a gold medal or bust for the USA.
Who Will Steve Kerr Have in the Starting Lineup?
Team USA is stacked from top to bottom. The USA roster is head and shoulder above everyone else in the competition. There’s a combination of all-time NBA legends, players in their athletic prime, and young up-and-comers. No matter which five players are on the floor, there will be a dramatic talent gap in the favor of the USA compared to any other team.
The starting lineup Kerr sent out vs Canada was Lebron James, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, and Jrue Holiday. Kerr made subs like he was playing NBA 2k and would go from all five starters to “bench”. I expect Kerr to mix and match players like Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum into the starting lineup once the Olympics start. It will also be very interesting to see if he sticks with Embiid starting at center.
The reality is that it shouldn’t matter what the starting lineup is. This team should beat everyone in their way by double digits. All of the best American players are playing which is different than in years past.
Team USA Seeking 5th Straight Olympic Gold
USA basketball has dominated the competition after failing to make the gold medal game in the 2004 Olympics. They won the gold medal at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics. Winning the gold in Paris would give them their 5th gold medal in a row.
In last year’s FIBA World Cup, the USA placed fourth. That was enough for veteran superstars like Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant to come in and show that the USA is still the best basketball country in the world.
The USA will tip off their 2024 Olympic games when they face Serbia on July 28th. This will be one of the bigger tests for the USA as Serbia is led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Serbia may have the best player on the floor when these teams match up, but the USA will have the next 9 best players.
About the Author
Cory is an Oregon Duck alumni from the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been playing, watching, and following basketball + baseball his whole life. He has recently been covering NBA, College Basketball, and MLB. Follow Cory on X @cory_pappas1 for more breaking stories and game previews.
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