Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid linked up with each other at Team USA’s training camp for the 2024 Olympics earlier today. Curry and Embiid dapped each other up and exchanged pleasantries. Stephen Curry referred to Embiid as ‘Process’, no doubt a reference to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ long-standing slogan – “Trust the process.”
Joel Embiid and Steph Curry catch up as the USA men’s basketball team arrive for training camp 🤝
(Via @usabasketball)
pic.twitter.com/FLATT3OY76
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 5, 2024
Curry and Embiid join what is already a star-studded Team USA roster. They join LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and several other superstar players in the league who have committed themselves to playing for Team USA, as they look to win their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Team USA is looking for redemption on the global stage, after their disappointing performance at the 2023 FIBA World Championship tournament. Team USA’s lack of success at FIBA tournaments has been greatly due to NBA superstars’ refusal to participate in the tournament.
While the Olympics will be a good way to redeem the country’s failure last year, the long-term future of Team USA will have to be reconsidered, as they must be able to call upon the superstars in the league to represent them at all major international basketball tournaments, not just the Olympics.
The long-term future will not be the focus for Team USA right now. They want to get the roster together and get ready for what will be a grueling 2024 Olympics. While Team USA is the odds-on favorite to win the gold medal, taking things for granted will cost them greatly, as it did at last year’s FIBA tournament.
LeBron James Expected To Start For Team USA
As reported by The Athletic, LeBron James is expected to start for Team USA at the Olympics. There had been speculation that, given his advanced age, James would come off the bench. But that is not the case. James is expected to start as a power forward and be the primary ball handler, with Stephen Curry playing off the ball.
“James coming off the bench, probably won’t happen. I spoke with two USA Basketball sources and both cast serious doubt on the idea… James, the sources said, will likely play point forward for the Americans as a starter, moving Curry off the ball.”
This is a smart decision from Team USA. Despite being 39 years old, James has shown that he isn’t slowing down, and is putting up great numbers. LeBron James played 71 games last season and averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. He showed that he is still one of the best players in the NBA.
With James handling the ball, the rest of the team will get the best looks possible. LeBron James has unparalleled court vision and will be able to see what the best shot for every player is, and which player is in the position to make said shot.
With the gold medal in their sights, Team USA must not become complacent at the Olympics. They do not want a repeat of their disastrous 2004 Olympic run, where they had to settle for the Bronze medal. But with the roster they have assembled, all they have to do is keep their focus, and the win is there for the taking.
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