Team USA fell apart in this year’s FIBA World Cup, losing its last two games and finishing in just fourth place, which means it left empty-handed with no medals.
The alarm was sounded right away, and a cadre of NBA stars and superstars led by LeBron James reportedly committed to playing in next year’s Summer Olympics within hours of Team USA’s loss to Canada in the bronze medal game.
Former NBA big man and current ESPN personality Kendrick Perkins shared what he feels would be Team USA’s ideal starting lineup for the Olympics, per Legion Hoops and ESPN.
His lineup has Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum in the backcourt, James and Kevin Durant at forward, and Anthony Davis in the middle.
Kendrick Perkins reveals his ideal Team USA lineup for the 2024 Paris Olympics
Steph Curry
Jayson Tatum
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Anthony Davis(via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/91fKUFyhTJ
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 14, 2023
This lineup would have plenty of length and size, something Team USA lacked in the World Cup, and Davis would give it a major defensive presence in the middle.
All five are reportedly prepared to make the trip to Paris next summer, which has led some to call this group “The Avengers” or even “The Supreme Team.”
There is some concern that training for and playing in the Olympics would mean too much wear and tear for Curry, James, Durant, and Davis, given their mileage and injury history, but by and large, many fans and pundits are on board with this group heading overseas to reassert the United States’ inherent dominance in the sport of basketball.
Team USA didn’t exactly have its best roster in the World Cup, and the same could be said for a few other nations, as Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play in the tournament.
But it looks like next summer, Team USA will return to the top of international competition, and no one will be able to make any excuses for it.
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