Team USA is the heavy favorite to win the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, but Anthony Davis recognizes it won’t be a walk in the park. In the lead-up to the opening game against Serbia, Davis stated they would have to be almost perfect to get over the line.
“When that first game starts, it’s time to go and it counts for real,” Davis said. “Our mistakes that we made, have been corrected, talked about, watched in film. So now, we have to play almost perfect basketball, mistake-free basketball, if we want to win a gold medal.”
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With the U.S. putting together a star-studded roster for the Olympics, the expectation was that it would breeze past the competition. Impressive wins in exhibition games against Canada, Australia, and Serbia only strengthened that belief, but things went downhill after that.
Team USA nearly lost their last two exhibition games against South Sudan and Germany, with only some LeBron James heroics sparing their blushes. It was a reminder that unless this group plays their best basketball, they can very well get beat.
NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported that head coach Steve Kerr called out the Team USA stars after the two near-losses. Kerr felt they didn’t play with energy and wanted the group to get their act together.
Maybe it was the kick up the backside that they needed, to avoid complacency from seeping in. While Team USA undeniably has the most talented squad in the competition, they are up against teams with a lot of NBA players too.
For starters, Serbia has arguably the best player in the league among its ranks, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Unless Team USA plays close to their best basketball, Jokic could very well orchestrate a famous win for the Serbs. I don’t expect that to happen, though.
Despite all their struggles against South Sudan and Germany, I still see the U.S. winning every game they play at these Olympics. They might not blow away the competition in all those games but I think they will win their fifth straight gold medal in the end.
Brian Windhorst Thought Anthony Davis Had Been The Best Player For Team USA
While James stole the headlines with his late-game heroics in the exhibition games, Davis was very impressive in them as well. So much so, that Windhorst called Davis the best player on Team USA.
“I cannot say enough how great Anthony Davis looks. Anthony Davis has been the best player on this team, an absolute beast on the defensive end. At the big man position, which is where Team USA needs it, I think they’re in good position. Let’s see how they bounce back tonight with what I’m sure will be better focus.”
Davis averaged 11.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game in those exhibition games. The 31-year-old was a force on the defensive end and was his usual effective self on offense.
Despite his good play, though, it seems unlikely that Davis will be starting at the Olympics. Joel Embiid appears to be a lock to play at the five and if Kevin Durant is healthy, he will get the nod at the four.
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