In an exercise for FIBA, 3x Olympic Gold medalist Carmelo Anthony gave an interesting response when asked about his non-USA starting lineup. In a post on X, Anthony’s lineup was revealed to include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kristaps Porzingis, and Nikola Jokic.
As a 19-year NBA veteran and Team USA’s second-highest All-Time scorer, Carmelo knows more than most about what separates the average player from the true basketball legends.
And when it comes to international legends of today’s game, it’s hard to go wrong with Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. In the case of Jokic, he’s a 2x MVP and the reigning NBA champion who may very well win his third MVP trophy this season after leading the Nuggets to the top of the West. With averages of 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game, there is no question that the Joker is the best player in the world right now.
As for Giannis, we already know what he can do. He proved it back in 2021 by winning the NBA championship with the Bucks. He’s also got two MVPs to show for his greatness, one of the few who can actually match Jokic in this regard.
25-year-old Luka Doncic is also a must-have for the non-USA lineup. he’s averaging 28.4 points for his career and has already emerged as one of the league’s top offensive players. He’s been carrying the Mavericks for years now and this season it’s finally paying off with some wins on the court.
Despite being relatively new and unproven at this stage, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an easy choice for the non-USA lineup. The star Canadian has been a leading MVP candidate all season with averages of 30.8 points and 6.4 assists on 54.25 shooting.
Kristaps Porzinhis was the final name mentioned by Anthony and while his numbers are certainly good enough, fans were quick to point out the exclusion of Victor Wembanyama, who has a much stronger case for being a top-five non-US player.
USA Is No Longer King
If there’s anything to be learned from the international basketball scene today, it’s that the talent has never been better.
While countries around the world have produced NBA superstars before, they were always in the minority compared to American players who grew up and developed their skills on US soil.
But as the league has trended more toward building up a globalized audience, other nations began catching up with the USA and we’re seeing that reflected in the sheer amount of stars coming from overseas.
Not to mention the level of resistance that Team USA has experienced over the past few tournaments. Where the USA would have dominated before, they are facing more challenges than ever and it seems the talent gap between them and the rest of the world has finally dissolved
Between the players on Anthony’s list and others like Domantas Sabonis and Victor Webanyama, NBA superstars are coming from all over these days and it’s unlikely to slow down. The game is more globalized than ever and the league is better off for it with more talent and exciting players to watch than one could have imagined.
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