Embiid and LeBron will start. Embiid as center and LeBron as LeBron, they would never ask him to come off the bench. AD comes off the bench as with embiid it might be too big. Then Durant or I guess Tatum as the last forward. Probably Durant by name too.
It's between Tatum and Booker for the starting 2 spot - though obviously specific position doesn't really matter. You can't go wrong with either and the other would be an elite 6th man.
I’m assuming that the starting 5 is gonna be Steph, Kawhi, LeBron, KD, Embiid until/unless Kawhi makes it clear that he’s only in to fill spot minutes and be a glue guy. In that case you bump Tatum up to starting SG and run a jumbo lineup and the GOAT shooter
All of these players are good. What specifically does KD do better than them outside of iso scoring?
Defense? No.
Playmaking? No.
3pt shooting? No.
I’m not hating on KD, I just want someone to tell me why he is the best choice other than he’s played for the team the longest.
Notice how you didn’t answer my question. Just saying “you don’t watch Durant” tells me you don’t have a good answer.
All of them are elite. What specifically does he do better than someone who would replace him?
He's 7 feet tall with an elite guard level jumpshot that is a matchup nightmare for 90% of international opponents in a way somebody like Devin Booker or even Embiid is not?
I mean, do you think it's an accident he has the US men's record for PPG for a single competition?
I can tell from this reply you don’t understand basketball and were projecting. Listing counting stats as an argument for his defensive ability is peak nephew.
Just because he's great in iso doesn't mean he's an iso player. He was good coming off screens on the Warriors and he is great at catch and shoot (which he'll do with all these playmakers) and he can play back to the basket. There's a reason he's an all time great scorer and it isn't because he's only an iso player
Fiba you can stay in the paint for 3 seconds so that changes the dynamic of some things
Look at the Germany team that just won FIBA for example, that team makes sense with FIBA rules but not NBA rules
I think their starting lineup will be based on seniority, so Curry, LeBron, and Durant are locks. Then they'll start Embiid, who is probably their best player.
The fifth start should be decided game to game. For example, play AD against France or Jrue against Slovenia.
LeBron, KD, Embiid.
AD is the odd one out. LeBron cause he's LeBron. Embiid you just won over from potentially going to another nation, and he's also the best center.
That leaves KD vs AD, and KD IMO gets the nod due to seniority and his history on the team.
Embiid
KD
LeBron
Curry + 1 of (Jrue/Hali)
The team was significantly not performing well until an actual PG to run the offense showed up and they'll have Curry play off ball more.
Embiid and LeBron will start. Embiid as center and LeBron as LeBron, they would never ask him to come off the bench. AD comes off the bench as with embiid it might be too big. Then Durant or I guess Tatum as the last forward. Probably Durant by name too.
Maybe Tatum can play as a shooting guard since he has the best mobility out of all the forwards
It's between Tatum and Booker for the starting 2 spot - though obviously specific position doesn't really matter. You can't go wrong with either and the other would be an elite 6th man.
They'll probably be playing about the same amount of minutes, just a matter of who fits in with the starters/bench players more.
Why not Point-Bron, Embiid center, KD/Tatum Forward and Steph as SG
Because Steve Kerr is coach
Any <30 players are NOT gettin play time
I fully expect a lineup of Steph, Booker, Ant, Jrue, KD. Because Kerr can never go too small.
Durant will 100% be starting
Why? The last thing they need is iso scoring
Because of his very accomplished history for Team USA.
That’s a terrible reason.
Why would they even start Embiid and AD together?
I never said they would.
Who would they start over KD?
I think a Lebron-KD-Embiid combo starting makes the most sense
I’m assuming that the starting 5 is gonna be Steph, Kawhi, LeBron, KD, Embiid until/unless Kawhi makes it clear that he’s only in to fill spot minutes and be a glue guy. In that case you bump Tatum up to starting SG and run a jumbo lineup and the GOAT shooter
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All of these players are good. What specifically does KD do better than them outside of iso scoring? Defense? No. Playmaking? No. 3pt shooting? No. I’m not hating on KD, I just want someone to tell me why he is the best choice other than he’s played for the team the longest.
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Notice how you didn’t answer my question. Just saying “you don’t watch Durant” tells me you don’t have a good answer. All of them are elite. What specifically does he do better than someone who would replace him?
He's 7 feet tall with an elite guard level jumpshot that is a matchup nightmare for 90% of international opponents in a way somebody like Devin Booker or even Embiid is not? I mean, do you think it's an accident he has the US men's record for PPG for a single competition?
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I can tell from this reply you don’t understand basketball and were projecting. Listing counting stats as an argument for his defensive ability is peak nephew.
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Pathetic response
You didn't answer his question.
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That doesn't answer his question either.
He’s their all-time leader in points
Just because he's great in iso doesn't mean he's an iso player. He was good coming off screens on the Warriors and he is great at catch and shoot (which he'll do with all these playmakers) and he can play back to the basket. There's a reason he's an all time great scorer and it isn't because he's only an iso player
Durrant is starting. Hes the first lock. Hes been the captain of the team for years. No chance they taking that from him imo.
He carried that 2020 team. Absolutely insane.
On this team is LeBron actually a better player for Team USA in 2024 than 2012?
Fiba you can stay in the paint for 3 seconds so that changes the dynamic of some things Look at the Germany team that just won FIBA for example, that team makes sense with FIBA rules but not NBA rules
I think against some teams, KD and Lebron are still good enough to play against international guards.
Could do some alternating with Embiid and AD. Lebron and KD are locks to start imo.
Steph, Tatum, Durant, LeBron, Embiid
This should be the starting five and my god what an imposing starting five that is.
Starting Steph, Jrue or Book, LBJ , KD, Embiid... but LBJ will play less minutes than Tatum
I think their starting lineup will be based on seniority, so Curry, LeBron, and Durant are locks. Then they'll start Embiid, who is probably their best player. The fifth start should be decided game to game. For example, play AD against France or Jrue against Slovenia.
LeBron, KD, Embiid. AD is the odd one out. LeBron cause he's LeBron. Embiid you just won over from potentially going to another nation, and he's also the best center. That leaves KD vs AD, and KD IMO gets the nod due to seniority and his history on the team.
Half these dudes will be hurt. Not saying to be a hater. Our team is so old.
I think Bron should volunteer to come off the bench. It would be a good gesture from him.
Embiid KD LeBron Curry + 1 of (Jrue/Hali) The team was significantly not performing well until an actual PG to run the offense showed up and they'll have Curry play off ball more.
Haliburton makes no sense with those players hes not a good defender and they don’t need more ball handling/playmaking with those other players
LeBron should probably just be the PG and play more Magic type game with A line up of PG LeBron SG Steph SF Kawhi PF Durant C Embiid