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USA Basketball is ramping up the action, as the opening exhibition game for the Paris Olympics is less than two weeks away, and all players and coaches are set to report to training camp next week in Las Vegas.

The 12-man star-studded roster includes several familiar names for Olympic play, but there are also some intriguing first-timers. 

Rising Stars and Seasoned Leaders: USA Basketball Gears Up for Gold

Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Kawhi Leonard are all first-timers who look to make major contributions. They are joined by Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis, the unquestioned team leaders.

Multiple-time Olympians Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, and Bam Adebayo round out the roster, each proving their unique skill set to the team.
Steve Kerr, the team’s head coach, says the USA’s goal of bringing home gold this summer will be challenging.

“We expect all 12 guys to be ready to roll. We’re well aware of the challenge we’re facing,” Kerr said. The world of basketball has gotten so much better and much stronger, so we have to be at our best.”

Durant’s Leadership and Holiday’s Command: Key Factors in USA’s 2020 Gold Medal Win

In 2020, the USA took home Gold in Tokyo defeating France in a close game 87-82. Kevin Durant led Team USA throughout the contest, averaging over 20 ppg. Draymond Green handled the paint, and they were quarterbacked by Jrue Holiday at the point guard position.

The 2020 USA basketball team was known to be one of the most underwhelming rosters that the US has sent out in the Olympics, and they still won Gold. That’s a testament to the talent that comes out of the United States when it comes to basketball. The rest of the world is getting better though, as Kerr stated.

Kerr, who was appointed Head Coach in 2020 after Gregg Popovich’s retirement from USA Basketball, has been known to get the best out of his players. He is also known for his relationships with players around the NBA, which helped him in 2020 secure Gold. 

The Clippers’ Tyronn Lue, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, and Gonzaga’s Mark Few round out Kerr’s assistants for the Olympic games.

A Veteran’s Farewell: LeBron James Leads Team USA in His Final Olympic Run

A lot of talk has been set on Team USA since they formed the roster.

However, this will likely be LeBron James’ last Olympic appearance, as he turns 40 this December. Notably, it will also be his first time playing Olympic basketball since 2012, when the men’s team won Gold in London.

Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kawhi Leonard are getting older, which means they want to win now. 

The onus is on the 2024 team to deliver Gold, as obstacles of age and better talent stand in their way of completing the task every American professional wants to accomplish.

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Global Threats to Men’s USA Basketball Team: France, Bahamas, and Canada Among Top Challengers to USA Basketball

France has two studs, Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. The Bahamas isn’t a slouch, putting out Klay Thompson, Deandre Ayton, and Evan Mobley. 

Germany is always a tough out with Dennis Schrodöer, as he always elevates his play in the Olympics. Slovenia has the reigning Western Conference Finals MVP in Luka Doncic, which is no easy feat.

Serbia has the 3x MVP in Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic as his sidekick.

The only team that could derail the US from winning Gold would be Canada.

The Canadian team features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, R.J. Barrett, Andrew Nembhard, Lu Dort, Andrew Wiggins, and Dillon Brooks. This team is stacked with top-end talent, just like the US. Probably not as much as the US carries, but in the Olympics, anything can happen.

The first exhibition game kicks off July 10th vs who else, Canada. It will be their first test to see where this 2024 Olympic team is as a group with all the star-studded talent. 

Lastly, with the 12 players on the Men’s USA Basketball team boasting eight MVPs, nine finals MVPs, and a whopping 85 All-Star selections combined, this team should be ready for the challenge come Olympic time.