- International competition is the hottest topic in professional basketball right now
- The majority of NBA superstar players will not be representing the USA this year
- Many wonder how deep Team USA would be if they fielded their absolute best depth chart
When the hardwood stage is set for international basketball glory, one team stands out as a perennial powerhouse, commanding attention and admiration from fans and opponents alike – Team USA. As the world gathers to witness the pinnacle of basketball competition in FIBA tournaments, the United States national team consistently assembles a roster of exceptional talent that showcases the nation’s deep-rooted basketball legacy. Their success in this competition is also deep-rooted and quite impressive, to say the least.
In the realm of FIBA tournaments, where national pride and athleticism intersect, Team USA’s journey unfolds with unparalleled intensity. The unique blend of skills, strategies, and teamwork required for success is a testament to the players’ dedication and the coaching staff’s meticulous preparation.
However, there have been critics of the current assembly of stars for Team USA basketball because a vast majority of the NBA’s elite are missing in action. That means the USA will have to proceed with a core of youngsters without much experience but tons of talent. Fans are slightly nervous and even former NBA legends have come out to dissect the current roster and label it unacceptable for international competition. Regardless, the USA believes they can win and so they should.
It does lead one to wonder how great the USA should be if they fielded the best team they can based on the play of current NBA stars. The depth charts across the board are so stacked that even a 2-time All-Star with exceptional skills, Trae Young, wasn’t even selected. Even if Young should probably get into the current FIBA team heading to Asia, in reality, he is not a top-5 point guard in the world and would not feature into the strongest team the Americans could field if they had their best talents on the court.
It is time to uncover the five best players in every position for Team USA to make it clear that there isn’t a country in history that could compete with these players if assembled accordingly.
5 Best USA Point Guards
1. Stephen Curry
2. Damian Lillard
3. Ja Morant
4. Kyrie Irving
5. De’Aaron Fox
Clearly, Stephen Curry is the head of the snake. Renowned as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, Curry’s deep range and off-the-dribble shooting ability are unparalleled. He is also a proficient ball-handler and playmaker, capable of setting up teammates and creating open shots. Curry’s gravity on the court opens up spacing for his teammates, and his leadership can elevate a team’s overall performance. He is a game-changer who can take over crucial moments as well.
Backing up Curry or even starting alongside him in some games, Damian Lillard is an exceptional offensive player. Lillard’s ability to hit contested shots from anywhere on the court adds a crucial dimension to Team USA’s offense. His leadership and composure under pressure can prove invaluable in high-stakes moments. Even if he is not as mature as other players on this list, Ja Morant would have also been critical. He is an explosive and athletic point guard who thrives in transition. He possesses exceptional speed, ball-handling, and playmaking skills, allowing him to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Even if he is not the fan-favorite he used to be around the world, Kyrie Irving is an elite one-on-one star. His dazzling ball-handling, exceptional finishing around the rim, and ability to create his own shot make him a valued member of Team USA. This past season, Kyrie posted 27.1 points per game for the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks, and as the fourth-best point guard on the team, he is more than worthy. Finally, even if he won’t get a huge run of minutes with the team, De’Aaron Fox is an ultra-fast point guard who excels in driving to the basket and pushing the tempo. Whenever Ja Morant isn’t using his incredible speed, Fox will be the one torturing defenses with incredible pace on the fast-break.
5 Best USA Shooting Guards
1. Devin Booker
2. Donovan Mitchell
3. James Harden
4. Zach LaVine
5. Anthony Edwards
This shooting guard depth chart presents a balanced mix of veteran experience and youthful exuberance. The players’ scoring abilities, combined with their defensive efforts and all-around skills, can complement Team USA’s overall game plan. With a combination of three-point shooting, driving ability, and defensive tenacity, this depth chart adds a layer of excitement and offensive firepower that can be pivotal in international competition.
The best shooting guard in the world right now, Devin Booker is a prolific scorer with exceptional shooting range, footwork, and ability to create his own shot. He has a natural scoring instinct and is equally effective from beyond the arc and in mid-range situations. With the Suns, Booker had an incredible postseason averaging 27.8 points per game in the regular season and 33.7 points per game in the playoffs.
Behind Booker is Donovan Mitchell, the explosive and athletic guard with a knack for scoring in transition and attacking the rim. His ability to finish through contact and hit contested shots makes him a versatile offensive weapon who can be trusted in major moments whenever Booker is being hounded by defenders.
We all know James Harden isn’t the same dominant scorer from his days with the Houston Rockets. But as another option as a playmaker, Harden is certainly talented enough to be a valued member of Team USA. Even if he does not want to shoot the ball, he excels at drawing fouls and converting at the free-throw line, making him a consistent offensive threat.
The last two shooting guards bring a mix of elite scoring, athleticism, and hunger. Zach LaVine is a high-flying guard with exceptional athleticism and scoring ability. He is known for his highlight-reel dunks, as well as his improved three-point shooting and shot creation. More so than scoring, Zach will also give Team USA momentum with his exciting style of play. The current star of the actual USA’s FIBA team, Anthony Edwards is a young and explosive guard with a scorer’s mentality.
5 Best USA Small Forwards
1. Kawhi Leonard
2. Jimmy Butler
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Brandon Ingram
5. DeMar DeRozan
This small forward depth chart showcases a well-rounded mix of skills, with players who excel in both offense and defense. The versatility and leadership qualities of these small forwards can greatly influence Team USA’s gameplay, providing scoring, playmaking, and defensive stability. The depth chart’s combination of established stars and rising talents would bode well for Team USA’s pursuit of international basketball success.
Kawhi Leonard is the star of the small forwards, because at 6’7” with massive hands and a muscle-bound physique, he can provide lockdown defense and efficient scoring. His versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, and his offensive game has improved significantly over the years, including a reliable three-point shot. A composed superstar is also what Team USA will need, and there isn’t anyone more composed than Leonard in the NBA right now outside of LeBron James.
Behind Leonard on the depth chart is Jimmy Butler. Butler is a gritty and hard-nosed player who excels in both scoring and playmaking. His defensive tenacity and versatility make him an all-around force on the court, and having an elite defensive wing is always needed when the guard positions are occupied by score-first players. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown’s athleticism, defensive skills, and improved offensive game make him a versatile contributor. He is also willing to go out and run on the break while his elite playmaking teammates find him.
Rounding out the small forward depth chart are Brandon Ingram and DeMar DeRozan. Ingram is a skilled scorer with a unique blend of length and finesse. His offensive repertoire includes mid-range jumpers, drives, and three-point shooting, while his length provides an advantage on both ends. DeRozan’s scoring prowess and ability to create his own shot can provide a reliable offensive option whenever the stars in front of him need a rest.
5 Best USA Power Forwards
1. Kevin Durant
2. LeBron James
3. Jayson Tatum
4. Julius Randle
5. Zion Williamson
The power forward position for Team USA would blow out any other country. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum are each elite scorers with a knack for taking over games on their own. Having to shuffle between three of them would be game over for the opposition.
Kevin Durant is not only the best pure scorer on Team USA but might be the best player in America’s history. He has won three Olympic Gold Medals, a World Cup Gold Medal, and won USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year three times in 2010, 2016, and 2021. Not to mention, he is the all-time leading scorer for Team USA. Armed with the best jumper in the game at nearly 7 feet tall, there is no defender that can slow him down.
LeBron James, even at 38 years old, would be an invaluable player for Team USA. The King is past his prime and won’t be required to take over games by himself, but all he has to do is play the game the right way, and the USA will dominate. He has the highest basketball IQ in the world, and his raw physicality means he will have the upper hand in most situations.
Jayson Tatum is right behind Kevin Durant as the offensive player with the most moves, and he will be tough to handle for the opposition. At 6’8”, Tatum is a very tall perimeter player, and he has learned how to pull off an array of moves, including the euro-step when he attacks the basket. How could any country deal with Duramt, James, and Tatum in the power-forward position?
Despite not being needed outside of size and rebounding, Julius Randle and Zion Williamson act as spectacular bench options. Randle is not only an above-average rebounder but is a capable passer, having posted at least 4.0 assists per game over each of the last three seasons. The power forward will also share minutes with physical phenom Zion Williamson who, while criticized for his weight and injury issues, will be a force to be reckoned with. On the break and around the basket, no opponent would be able to handle the strength when he is out for the ball or the basket.
5 Best USA Centers
1. Anthony Davis
2. Bam Adebayo
3. Jaren Jackson Jr
4. Myles Turner
5. Jarrett Allen
The center depth chart for Team USA Basketball presents a mix of versatile and skilled big men, each offering a unique set of attributes that can significantly impact the team’s performance on both ends of the court. This collection of centers brings a combination of rim protection, rebounding, scoring, and defensive versatility that can elevate Team USA’s presence in the paint.
Even if Anthony Davis is not the powerhouse player that centers for Team USA used to be known for, he is an elite two-way player known for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and versatile scoring ability. His shot-blocking and rim protection can anchor the defense, because, at 6’11” with long arms, he can get to any shot that comes his way.
Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo is a mobile and athletic center with exceptional passing skills and defensive versatility. His ability to guard multiple positions, protect the rim, and contribute as a playmaker make him a modern-day center. Again, Bam is not a center that is comparable to past Team USA legends in terms of size and physicality, but he does not need to be.
The third and fourth spots at the center position will be occupied by more “old-fashioned centers’ in the sense of being big, strong bodies who focus on defense more than offense. At 23 years old, Jaren Jackson Jr is a young, agile big man with shot-blocking prowess and three-point shooting capability. His defensive instincts shot alteration, and floor-spacing potential make him a valuable asset.
The same goes for Myles Turner, who is a shot-blocking specialist known for his rim protection and defensive awareness. His presence alters opponents’ shots, and his ability to contribute as a rim-runner and shot-blocker is crucial for a team that is very finesse from the onset.
The last spot goes for Jarrett Allen. At 6’9″ the Cleveland Cavaliers big man was looked at as the important building block for the franchise. His impressive rim protection was on full display this past season, and the numbers show that he will be a force when he develops fully into his frame. This 2022-23 season, he averaged 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
For a team like the Cavaliers that relies heavily on pick-and-roll, Allen was pivotal in setting screens and is clearly an All-Star material. He will be a prize addition to the centers’ roster.
If Players Cared To Play For Their Country, Team USA Would Be Unstoppable
If Team USA would field their actual depth chart with current stars, they would not lose a single game. In fact, there might not be a game that would be that close, especially when stars such as Nikola Jokic are not going to appear for their countries. The point guard depth is special, with a host of score-first point guards with exceptional shooting and ball-handling. Even if the point guards are capable passers, they won’t be required to be assist-men that much when players such as James Harden and LeBron James control the ball.
Harden and James are the two best passers on the team by far and will be unselfish in giving up their own shots for the sake of the team. Trust head coach Steve Kerr to give the ball to these two stars and let the rest play off them. Obviously, Team USA has sensational offensive players at the forward spots as well. Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, and Kawhi Leonard are legitimate top-10 superstars offensively. There will be no way to stop these three players when they are feeling it offensively, and that is even more the case when bolstered by shooting guards such as Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell, who are also elite scorers.
Even if Team USA could blow teams out with just their offense, their defense would still be elite. Anthony Edwards is the only guard who can truly make a difference on defense, but the majority of the defense will be played by the forwards and centers. Leonard is a lockdown defender with two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Jimmy Butler has made five All-Defensive Teams as a player who has a knack for stealing the ball and suffocating ball-handlers.
Other elite defenders include Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Myles Turner, who will block shots, defend the rim, and cause the team to run on the break. It is always important to remember the defense because while offense is key, the ability to get stops will make Team USA all more formidable.
Unfortunately, it is a shame that the vast majority of these players won’t be suiting up for their country. While Team USA is still favored in the FIBA tournament, not having the very best players in the game could let American fans down. It will be up to a host of youngsters, including Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram, Tyrese Haliburton, and even Lakers youngster Austin Reaves, to be the difference-makers for Steve Kerr’s crew. While they will be favorites, one can only imagine if the truly elite of the NBA decided to win the FIBA Tournament for their country.
