• Jason Kidd gave his unfiltered thoughts about Joel Embiid’s commitment to Team USA while speaking to Fadeaway World
• Kidd spoke after the Mavericks lost the first game of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023
• Kidd is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist
Jason Kidd spoke to Fadeaway World after the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sharing his thoughts on Joel Embiid joining Team USA next summer to play in the 2024 Olympics instead of France or Cameroon.
“That’s great news for Team USA. We need all the top players to play in Paris if we want a chance at the Gold medal. The world has gotten better, we saw that at the World Cup. I think that’s great news for Team USA to have one of the best players accept that invitation.”
Jason Kidd shares his thoughts on Joel Embiid committing to Team USA and if he'd accept a role as an assistant coach on the national team.
"That's great news for Team USA. We need all the top players to play in Paris if we want a chance at the Gold medal."
📝: @IshaanBhatta pic.twitter.com/3vHnjaVE2J
— Fadeaway World (@FadeawayWorld) October 5, 2023
Embiid’s national team decision has been rumbling for a while now and is the closest thing to LeBron James‘ ‘The Decision’ from 2010 in the national team space. While FIBA rules around national team eligibility are extremely relaxed, Embiid has shown how a player can use that system to essentially act like a free agent for different countries.
Embiid has represented Cameroon at the youth ranks. He became eligible to represent France last season after taking citizenship in the country. However, he was also eligible to play for Team USA, and that’s the direction he wants to head in.
Many consider it the move of a glory hunter, this was the best decision for Embiid, as this also gives him the opportunity to recruit someone or be recruited to a new situation.
Jason Kidd Willing To Join Team USA’s Coaching Staff
Kidd was an integral piece to USA’s Gold medals in the 2000 and 2008 Olympics, excelling on the court and serving as a positive locker room force. His coaching career hasn’t been as lauded as his playing career, but his growth as a coach and experience as a player could lead to an assistant coaching spot on Team USA. Kidd revealed to Fadeaway World that he would not turn down any opportunity to represent Team USA in any capacity.
“I would never turn down any chance to represent your country as a player or as a coach, you always accept that. So if I was offered that, I would accept that.”
Team USA built a star-studded roster of coaches ahead of the FIBA World Cup. The coaching group was led by Steve Kerr, who replaced Gregg Popovich in the role. Unfortunately, Kerr’s first tournament as a coach was a letdown with Team USA’s fourth-place finish in the tournament.
Kerr’s lead assistants were Erik Spoelstra, Tyronn Lue, and Mark Few. It doesn’t look like Kidd would get a look in for the 2024 Olympics, but the Hall of Famer could be the perfect players’ coach to have in a locker room that is expected to be star-studded, with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant expected to be the lead three.
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