As Team USA gears up for the Paris Olympics, the choice of who will start at center has sparked significant debate. With Steve Kerr at the helm for USA Basketball, he’s tasked with the formidable challenge of establishing a winning rotation and starting lineup; the spotlight has highlighted three exceptional talents: Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and Joel Embiid. Each brings a distinctive skillset to the table, but the ultimate question looms large, who is best fit to lead Team USA to Olympic gold? This decision not only impacts the team’s dynamics and strategy, but also resonates with aspirations for international dominance.
Through three exhibition games Anthony Davis’ profound impact has shown through his defense and versatility. Similarly, Bam Adebayo’s adaptability and how his unique skill set can be leveraged in various play scenarios, fostering a comparison against Davis and Embiid. Despite Joel Embiid’s struggles in fitting into the traditional Team USA setup, his potential contribution cannot be overlooked, presenting a great story ahead of the Olympics.
Anthony Davis’ Impact on Team USA
AD has consistently demonstrated his pivotal role in Team USA’s lineup through his performances in exhibition games. Recently, Davis showcased his defensive prowess against Canada, where he was instrumental in Team USA’s 86-72 victory, recording a game-high four blocks, along with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Davis’s impact extends beyond just scoring and rebounding. His ability to adapt to FIBA’s distinct rules has allowed him to excel defensively, particularly with no defensive three-second rule, enabling him to protect the rim more aggressively. Offensively, Davis’s versatility shines through his ability to perform in various play setups. His performance against Australia, where he posted 17 points and 14 rebounds in just 18 minutes, underscores his offensive dominance and ability to lead by example.
Chemistry with LeBron James
The synergy between Anthony Davis and Lakers’ teammate LeBron James has been a significant advantage for Team USA. Having played together for five years in the NBA, their well-established connection on the court would be a boost for the starting lineup.
The pace will provide dynamic playmaking, particularly in two-man game scenarios, as transition points are critical in international play. Their understanding and coordination on the court not only boost Team USA’s offensive flow but also stabilize the team’s overall performance. Davis’ defense would turn into easy points in transition for Steph Curry threes or Edwards and LeBron dunks.
Bam Adebayo’s Role and Versatility
Bam Adebayo has showcased a robust performance in Team USA’s exhibition games, underscoring his ability to influence the game across multiple facets. His performance in Tokyo, where he started all six games and led the team in several statistical categories, highlights his critical role in securing victories and maintaining team dynamics .
Defensively, Adebayo stands out with his ability to guard multiple positions, which is good for any matchup in the early rounds. Offensively, Adebayo’s skills have expanded beyond traditional center roles; his ability to initiate offense from the high post and pull up from the mid range is exceptional; and his shot looks great with the shorter three point line. This versatility allows the USA to keep the pace and not lose shooting at the center position.
Leading Off the Bench
Despite his usual starting role with the Miami Heat, Adebayo’s adaptability shines through when he comes off the bench for Team USA. His energy and versatility provide a significant boost and mismatch, allowing the team to maintain or even enhance its performance without a drop in intensity. This role adjustment showcases the Team USA culture prioritizing collective achievement over personal statistics. His impactful presence was evident in a game against Canada, where his defensive synergy with Anthony Davis helped the second unit overcome a deficit and secure a lead.
Joel Embiid’s Struggles and Potential
Joel Embiid’s introduction to Team USA has been challenging, marked by mixed performances that began with a struggle against Canada. In that outing Embiid managed only five points and six rebounds in 12 minutes before fouling out in the third quarter. However, his subsequent game against Australia showed signs of improvement, where he contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Transitioning to the international play style has posed significant challenges for Embiid. Notably, his adjustment to playing like a traditional big man, away from his usual positions at the nail and elbows, has been evident. This was highlighted during a game where Embiid overthought a play, passing the ball to an empty wing instead of taking an open shot, reflecting his ongoing struggle with adapting to a new role . Despite these challenges, there are glimpses of potential synergy, such as a well-executed pick-and-roll with LeBron James, indicating that integration into Team USA’s system could be forthcoming.
Steve Kerr has acknowledged the difficulties faced by Embiid but remains optimistic about his integration into the team. Kerr emphasized that big men often take longer to find their rhythm and flow in the game, expressing confidence in Embiid’s abilities and his role in experimenting with different lineup combinations. Kerr’s approach is to continue exploring the best team dynamics, highlighting Embiid’s potential to become a dominant force once fully acclimated.
The defensive duo of Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo is incredible to watch.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 17, 2024
They’re destroying Serbia around the rim, including Davis with four blocks already.
Steve Kerr should take a look at starting Davis and Adebayo. pic.twitter.com/XfQDMrhXhf
Anthony Davis today:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 17, 2024
7 Points - 6 Rebounds - 6 Blocks
Bam Adebayo today:
17 Points - 7 Rebounds - 6/9 FGM - 3/5 3PM
This duo. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0CsBkR2n10
Comparative Analysis
International basketball, governed by FIBA rules, presents unique challenges that differ significantly from the NBA, demanding adaptability and versatility from players. Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo have demonstrated these qualities in recent exhibition games, showing not only defensive prowess but also the ability to maintain a high pace, crucial for international play.
Joel Embiid, however, has struggled with the pace and style of international games, as seen in his performances where he was unable to utilize his usual playing style to draw fouls and control the game. It is not like AD or Bam can’t do any of the things Joel can do. It’s just that Embiid’s physical condition has been a significant concern. He has battled multiple injuries, including a knee injury requiring surgery, which limited him to playing only 39 games in the 2023-24 season. These health issues have raised doubts about his durability and are almost holding the starting lineup back. There is a higher ceiling for the USA with someone else on the floor right now. His participation in the exhibition games post-NBA playoffs was his first action since early May, which might explain some of his fitness and conditioning struggles.
Capabilities
Anthony Davis has consistently showcased his capability as a two-way player, as he played in the Olympics before playing in an NBA game. His recent performances underline his defensive dominance and ability to score efficiently shows he will make an impact whether being a starter or coming off the bench. Bam Adebayo’s versatility is also evident, as previously stated, and he continues to show why he has already started for a Gold Medal team.
In contrast, while Joel Embiid is a dominant player in the NBA, his adaptation to the international play style has been less than seamless, affecting his overall impact .
Team Fit and Chemistry
The chemistry and fit within the team are critical for success in international tournaments. Davis and Adebayo have exhibited excellent synergy, particularly when paired together on the court, suggesting a strong team dynamic that could be beneficial for Team USA . Their ability to play effectively, whether the team opts for a traditional or a smaller lineup, adds to their suitability for the starting roles. When talent is in abundance, displaying synergy like Davis and Adebayo make them more suitable for the starting center position.
2 More Exhibition Games
As Team USA continues its preparation for the Paris Olympics, they’ll touch down in London for two more exhibition games where they’ll to continue to finalize the team’s starting lineup. With the absence of Kevin Durant due to a calf injury, the spotlight intensifies on Davis and Adebayo to demonstrate their readiness and impact on the court.
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