- Team USA is looking for more proven superstars to represent them at the 2024 Olympics
- NBA analyst Chris Mannix thinks they have to get Joel Embiid to be their center
- Joel Embiid has a choice between representing Team USA or France at the international level
Team USA is the center of attention after failing to win any medals at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Despite having some All-Stars and borderline All-Stars on the roster, they lost three games in the tournament, an unacceptable outcome.
And even with stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry reportedly looking to represent them next year, there is still a bit of a hole at center. And analyst Chris Mannix thinks there is only one answer to that, Joel Embiid.
“Team USA has two glaring problems. There’s defense: It surrendered 110 points to Lithuania. Another 113 to Germany. Canada blitzed the U.S. for 127,” Mannix wrote for Sports Illustrated.
“Size is a problem. More specifically, a lack of it. The U.S. played without Paolo Banchero and Jaren Jackson Jr. on Sunday, but even at full strength, the U.S. is woefully small.
“The U.S. needs help. It needs Joel Embiid.”
Joel Embiid is the reigning NBA MVP, and he can provide both size and defense, which would be a massive help for the team. His offense isn’t bad either; he is a two-time scoring champion, and he would complete any superteam the USA can put together.
Team USA Are Already In Conversation With Joel Embiid About Representing Them
For any team to be able to get Joel Embiid would be a huge accomplishment, and Team USA is no different. While their best players would make an unbeatable superteam, they are still lacking at center.
The management knows that, too, they have already begun their efforts to recruit Joel Embiid to the cause. Grant Hill spoke about it ahead of the FIBA World Cup.
“I’ll just answer with a simple answer, and that’s yes. I’ve talked to him (Joel Embiid),” Grant Hill said on SiriusXM. “He has options, he’s a great player and he’s also somebody we’ve talked to about next summer. We’ll see how that plays out.”
Joel Embiid is yet to play in any international tournaments at a senior level despite being 29 years old. He averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game for the Philadelphia 76ers last season and he would be the ultimate catch for Team USA.
Team USA Still Has Anthony Davis And Bam Adebayo As Options
While the best big men in the NBA are all international players at this point, it’s not like the team would be dead in the water without Joel Embiid.
Anthony Davis may not want to play center for the Los Angeles Lakers, but surely he would fill the big man role if he was available for the 2024 Olympics. If he hadn’t before, then the losses in the 2023 FIBA World Cup might change that.
And he isn’t the only big man that Team USA can rely on. The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo may not put up big numbers offensively, but he can anchor the defense and provide size if the team needs it.
There is a lot of panic around Team USA at the moment following the World Cup embarrassment, but their roster for the 2024 Olympics will be stacked regardless. Adding Joel Embiid to that would possibly just completely ensure a gold medal.
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