The United States wants, yes or yes, Olympic gold in basketball after the recent failures in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. For the event in Paris, coach Steve Kerr has put together a formidable list of 11 players who have nothing to envy of the ‘Dream Team’ from 1992. NBA stars, such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, who will debut in the Olympics, will attend the French capital.
The full roster of ‘Team USA’ is as follows: LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia Sixers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) and Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers).
The teams must have 12 players, so there is one place left to be assigned. According to Shams Charania, journalist for The Athletic, the last vacancy will be, if he arrives in full physical condition, for Kawhi Leonard. There are also the options of Jalen Brunson, Paul George, Paolo Banchero or Mikal Bridges, in case the Clippers player decides not to travel to Paris.
With this star-studded team, the American team is, without a doubt, the big favorite to win Olympic gold. Since 2008, ‘Team USA’ has won all the Olympic Games, since its last setback was in Athens 2004, against Argentina.
However, after the setback in the World Cup that Germany won, LeBron met with several stars to convey his intention to create an unbeatable team. The one from Akron wants to say goodbye to the national team with his third Olympic gold and, to do so, he has assembled a dream squad, with other veterans who are also looking for their last dance in Paris, like Durant, who wants to make history and become the only player with four golds.
In the French capital, Joel Embiid will also make his debut with the American jersey. The player born in Yaoundé (Cameroon) refused to represent France, after flirting with a possible nationalization.
Steve Kerr’s team will face Serbia, South Sudan and the Pre-Olympic champion of Puerto Rico in the group stage. The debut of the new ‘Dream Team’ will be on July 28 against Serbia, which may have in its ranks the more than possible NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic.
