With the Olympics right around the corner, the highly decorated USA Basketball team has finally begun their training camp before heading to Paris. Fans are salivating over the talent that has been curated and selected.
Coach Steve Kerr has called this team the most decorated since the Dream Team. The roster includes LeBron James in his last Olympics, Steph Curry’s second Team USA appearance, the debut of sensation Anthony Edwards on the Olympic circuit, and the most decorated player in Team USA history, Kevin Durant.
Although the all-time points-scoring leader is sidelined for a week and a half with a minor calf strain, his impact will be felt the second he steps on the court. Some fans have remarked that there is no wrong starting five because the team is so perfectly constructed.
Some fans say that experienced players like Curry, James, and Leonard should start, while younger players like Edwards, Tatum, and Embiid should wait their turn and pay homage. However, with a roster this decorated, any five-man lineup would be stellar. True to his confident style, Anthony Edwards told the media he felt he was the number one option. “I’m still the number one option. You might look at it differently,” Edwards said. “I go out there and be myself, I shoot my shots, play defense. They got to fit in around me. That’s how I feel.”
Steve Kerr forewarned not to read into lineup combinations. But this Team USA group scrimmaging vs Select Team: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards pic.twitter.com/pS6lHaYjRA
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 7, 2024
“I’m still the number one option. You might look at it differently,” Edwards told the media. “I go out there and I be myself, I shoot my shots, play defense. They got to fit in around me. That’s how I feel.”
Anthony Edwards on how he fits in with Team USA:
“I’m still the number one option. Y’all might look at it differently…They’ve got to fit in around me. That’s how I feel.”
(via @BenGolliver)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 7, 2024
The Team USA scrimmages have been a dream to see. You have LeBron finding Steph Curry for 3-pointers, with the line being a foot closer these shots seem as if they are layups for Curry.
The greatest shooter to ever pick up a basketball
This is how Steph Curry ended a 30-minute workout after Team USA’s scrimmage pic.twitter.com/vw6bfQweC0
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) July 8, 2024
Jayson Tatum has finally arrived after an excused absence for personal reasons. The NBA champion is wearing the number 10 in commemoration of his idol, Kobe Bryant.
Jayson Tatum speaks about wearing No. 10 for Team USA, just like his idol Kobe Bryant did 💜
(🎥 @ArashMarkazi )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 8, 2024
The next phenom from Duke, freshman Cooper Flagg, has impressed at Team USA training camp. He has had the opportunity to play with the younger guys who are running scrimmages with the team as they prepare for Paris. NBA scouts are excited about his potential, and he is projected to be the number one pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Cooper Flagg highlights from Monday’s Team USA scrimmage in Vegas, including a post-practice photo op with Duke pals Jayson Tatum and Grant Hill. pic.twitter.com/G8o5rkRP9p
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 9, 2024
Team USA will face Team Canada in an exhibition match in Vegas Wednesday. Team Canada, which also has a lot of talent, is vying to be the team that slays the Team USA giant. Fans will get their first look at the matchup tonight.
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