Projected Starting Lineup For Team USA Has Four NBA MVPs
Team USA is packed with talent and four MVPs are expected to take part in the starting lineup. This year’s team caught everyone’s attention for so many reasons. The upcoming Olympics in Paris will be different than any other competition before.
Bill Simmons from The Ringer shared his take on this year’s team and all the superstars featured in it. The author of “The Book of Basketball” projected Team USA’s starting lineup on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.
According to Simmons, the starting lineup will feature Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Edwards is the only player who has yet to win a MVP award. LeBron has four MVPs in his resume and Curry has won two.
LeBron and his Team USA teammates joined the Olympics with great plans. This team has all the talent to win gold. Team USA has won the gold medal 16 times. LeBron first joined the Olympic competition in 2004 and won bronze.
The Redeem Team in 2008 featured late Kobe Bryant, LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. Former Duke head coach Mike Krzyewski coached the team and they won gold. The 2008 Redeem Team beat Pau Gasol and Spain, celebrating a 118-107 win and a gold medal.
The starting lineup for Team USA will face big challenge
LeBron and Co. will face a big challenge in the Olympics. France will have San Antonio Spurs center and 2024 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert. Nikola Jokic from the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Miami Heat power forward Nikola Jovic are featured in Serbia’s team. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo plays for Greece.
Analysts would agree that Canada poses the biggest threat. They have Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins, Luguentz Dort, Dillon Brooks, R.J. Barrett, and Dwight Powell.