USA Basketball has just finalized its roster for the 2024 Olympics in Paris this year.
After years of having the top American players sit out of national competitions, that is not going to be the case at all this summer. Seeing players like Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant playing on the same team and playing for a gold medal is going to be must-watch TV.
Superstar Loaded Team
At long last, we got a superstar-loaded USA basketball team in an international tournament. This has been long overdue.
For Steph Curry, Lebron James, and Kevin Durant, these 2024 Summer Olympics will likely be their final appearance for Team USA. It’s going to be cool seeing the three of them playing together for the first time. Then you team them up with younger stars like Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, and Jayson Tatum, good luck rest of the world.
ESPN Sources: USA Basketball is finalizing its 2024 Paris Olympics roster with Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis. Team may initially keep one open spot. pic.twitter.com/kO7TREBVDK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2024
This feels like the Team USA version of the Last Dance, and I’m fired up to these all-time greats team up one last time to play for a gold medal.
Team USA Redemption
A year ago, Team USA finished fourth in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. What was most notable about this result was that so many of the top American players declined their invitation to play in it. There are a few reasons for this.
One is that it is during the NBA offseason when players are typically getting rest. A player may not be able to fully recover their body after the long grueling season. Another is that this is the time for players to spend time with their family, friends, etc. Combine both of these with them not being paid to play and there ya have it.
I do get it in a sense why a lot of top players haven’t played in the past. An NBA season goes from October to April. And if you are in the playoffs, your season could extend all the way until mid-June. Since most of the best players in the NBA do make it to the playoffs, international play cuts into their already short off-season.
It seems as if everyone on the USA side this year said “Forget all that”, and wanted to help redeem the USA after last year’s failure. The rest of the world is catching up to the USA in basketball. Just look at some of the top players around the world. Luka, Jokic, Giannis, and now Wembanyama. USA Basketball has to step it up and it starts with a gold medal this summer.
About the Author
Cory is an Oregon Duck alumni and has been following basketball closely for years; whether it be playing, watching, or attending live. Follow Cory on X @cory_pappas1 for more breaking stories and game previews.
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