The United States basketball team failed to medal in the FIBA World Cup, which concluded over the past weekend. The US lost its final two games of the tournament. The eventual FIBA champion, Germany, defeated Team USA 113-11 in the semifinals in a nailbiter of a game in which Germany showed its’ resolve and strength in the paint to advance to the Finals.
In the subsequent bronze medal game, the up-and-coming Canadian team defeated Team USA 127-118 in overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks combined for 70 points in Canada’s win and the US was once again exposed on the international stage.
It may seem shocking to hear that the United States basketball team failed to medal at the World Cup as we undoubtedly have the most talented basketball pool in the world, even if some of the current best individual players are not American. The obvious difference at the World Cup is that the best US players were not present. Team USA was led by Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards, both talented, young stars, but not Steph Curry or LeBron James.
Team USA will look much different at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the immediate aftermath of the World Cup disappointment, American stars appeared to quickly announce their intentions to play in Paris for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics, most notably LeBron James and Steph Curry. As this is a Philadelphia 76ers fan site, it is natural to wonder if any Sixers will play for Team USA in the Olympics. At the moment that answer is not clear, however, I believe there are three players that would have helped the World Cup roster and might be in consideration for the Olympics in 2024.
Tobias Harris
Harris may not be a player that comes to mind when you think about the best American players you want to represent the United States in international competition. I agree with that thought process, but let me present the case for Harris.
At the last Olympics in 2021, hosted a year late due to COVID-19, Harris was seemingly one of the final candidates to make the Team USA roster. Keith Pompey reported at the time that Harris was being strongly considered to replace Bradley Beal after he had to pull out of the Olympics. In recent years, Harris has played at fringe All-Star levels and has been arguably the most consistent Sixers player in the playoffs the previous two seasons.
In 2019, Harris also had the opportunity to play for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, which as noted above is where a tier below the best players get international experience. Harris eventually removed himself from consideration, but the point remains: Tobias Harris can ball and has been consistent and healthy the last few years. His veteran presence could be extremely welcome if Team USA wants to keep with the younger players going forward.
Tyrese Maxey
Team USA in the FIBA World Cup featured a roster flush with young talent and led by 22-year-old Anthony Edwards. Edwards was the number one overall draft pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He made his first All-Star team this past year and is looking like he will be taking over the league in the next couple of years. It appears that the US team was looking to get the next generation some international competition experience as the former Olympic stars are abruptly aging.
LeBron James (38), Steph Curry (35), and Kevin Durant (34) would likely be playing in their final Olympics in 2024 if they decide to play for Team USA so the development of young players is extremely necessary. The roster from this FIBA World Cup team is clearly not ready, but this was a good opportunity for them to get ready.
Twenty picks after Edwards in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Sixers drafted Maxey.
Maxey has improved year over year in Philadelphia and is on the verge of becoming an NBA All-Star. He will likely be the second-best player on the Sixers roster in 2023-24 and might have been this past season as well. It makes logical sense then, that with Team USA looking to get younger, they give Maxey a phone call.
Edwards and Maxey running the backcourt for future US teams is salivating and would be impossible to defend for other international teams. The two teams that most recently beat us, Germany and Canada, had Dennis Schroeder and Franz Wagner, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks, respectively running their backcourt. Maxey and Edwards are arguably the best duo of that bunch and would be a cornerstone of a young Team USA to build around.
Joel Embiid
One of the most fascinating discussions around basketball in the 2024 Paris Olympics is which country Joel Embiid will play for. The two options the current NBA MVP can choose from are France and the USA, as he has dual citizenship and the recruiting pitches are heating up.
The biggest weakness Team USA faces as the game continues to become globalized is the lack of a true big-body center that can battle in the post. Most American big men these days are stretch players who play outside-in instead of inside-out (i.e. Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns). International big men, as seen in the FIBA World Cup, and in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, can bang down low and dominate the current Team USA centers. The importance of having Embiid on Team USA to counter this threat from the other international teams cannot be overstated.
Embiid’s decision could determine the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal winner.
If Embiid joins France, the winners of the last five NBA MVP awards would be playing for different teams, which is more proof that the rest of the world is catching up to the United States in basketball. The US team will undoubtedly be the favorite entering the 2024 Olympic Games, but the hosting country, France, could have something to say.
France consistently has a competitive international team and is currently fifth in the FIBA World rankings. The roster already has 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, on it, and uber-hyped rookie Victor Wembanyama will be lacing up for France as well. Can you fathom a lineup featuring Gobert and Embiid in the frontcourt with Wembanyama running the offense? Gobert and Embiid both excel in the post and would expose Team USA’s size weakness even more.
The FIBA World Cup disappointment by Team USA is not something to overreact about as the majority of those players will not be on the roster or not play meaningful minutes at the Paris Olympics. However, the alarm bells should be raised that we can no longer just show up to the arena and be guaranteed a win. The 2024 Olympics basketball competition will be the most competitive in years and I cannot wait to see if any Sixers players have an impact.
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