Team USA are unsurprisingly considered the top team to beat in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Americans have an embarrassment of riches on their roster with multiple future Basketball Hall of Famers comprising the contingent. That being said, Team USA are still not without issues.
One key item on head coach Steve Kerr’s list ahead of the trip to France is finding the right formula to capitalize on the strengths of big man Joel Embiid. Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry recently shared an insight on the adjustments Team USA are working on when Embiid is inside the court.
Via Joe Vardon of The Athletic:
“Obviously, he demands a lot of attention, so you have to utilize that and get him in position,” Curry said of Embiid. “We still have to figure out our spacing around him to give him looks, whether he’s trying to score or whether he kicks it out. And then if he’s not in the post, we’re trying to figure out different looks and the chemistry of that group. So I think we got a little bit better today, and we got three more games to get even better with it and utilize the threat of everything he can do and everybody else out there on the floor.”
During Team USA’s 98-92 win over Australia in Abu Dhabi, Embiid collected 19 points, five rebounds, two steals, and an assist in just 16 minutes. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis both came off the bench and combined for 27 points and 16 rebounds (14 from Davis).
Embiid is still looking like the starter for Team USA in the Olympics, but there is a case to be made for Davis as well.
As for Curry, he scored just three points with two steals, an assist, and a rebound against Australia.
In any case, there is really no shortage of talent in the backcourt and frontcourt of this juggernaut squad.
Team USA have three more games before 2024 Paris Olympics
After beating Canada and Australia, the Americans will take on the challenge from Nikola Jokic and Serbia this Tuesday before playing South Sudan on July 20. Team USA conclude their exhibition with a showdown against reigning World Cup champions Germany on July 22.
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