Will Kawhi Leonard (left) and LeBron James start for Team USA in Paris?
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Which five players should start on Team USA at the Paris Olympics?
Steve Aschburner
There is a “legend” side to this American team, and it should be noted that “legend” can be a polite way of saying “old.”
- Lebron JamesThe Los Angeles Lakers
- Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors
- Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns
- Kawhi LeonardLos Angeles Clippers
- Joel EmbiidThe Philadelphia 76ers
Let’s start with the Legends. This starting team might boast 12 NBA rings and eight MVP trophies. But they’d also be 173 years old, with an average age of 34.6. Pretty old compared to some of the world’s rivals. Keep in mind that the legendary 1992 Dream Team had only two players 31 or older, compared to this team’s seven. James, Curry and Durant are already older than Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, who were on their way out in 1992. And the top five players on the Dream Team in minutes played at these Barcelona Games averaged 28.6 years. How will Team USA win gold in Paris? “Well, old.”
Brian Martin
Here are the five players I would pick to start, but I’m equally interested to see Steve Kerr’s closing lineup when Team USA is challenged.
- Steph CurryGolden State Warriors
- Lebron JamesThe Los Angeles Lakers
- Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns
- Joel EmbiidThe Philadelphia 76ers
- Anthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves
Assuming good health (especially with KD missing part of training camp) due to calf pain), I would start all four NBA MVPs with Curry, LeBron, Durant and Embiid, with one spot up for grabs. After a lack of size that hampered Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, Kerr could opt for Anthony Davis next to Embiid and have three players 6’2” or taller on the front line. Or he could opt for a more traditional back line with Edwards, Devin Booker or Jrue Holiday next to Curry.
While the U.S. failed to medal at the World Cup, Kerr raved about Edwards all summer. His two-way ability and high-level athleticism will provide balance to a starting five that features three players 35 or older.
Shaun Powell
Steve Kerr has so many options he could blindfold himself and throw darts.
- Steph CurryGolden State Warriors
- Lebron JamesThe Los Angeles Lakers
- Joel EmbiidThe Philadelphia 76ers
- Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns
- Jayson TatumBoston Celtics
Let’s be clear: Starting only matters in the gold medal game. That’s when the U.S. will likely face its toughest test. And even then, that test could require a small, fast team or a bigger team, not necessarily the “best” team. That’s a roundabout way of saying it all depends. Either way, Kerr said the team will change almost from game to game. Egos, you know.
Jean Schuhmann
It’s a bit of a gimmick, but it also involves some strategy.
- Lebron JamesThe Los Angeles Lakers
- Jayson TatumBoston Celtics
- Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns
- Anthony DavisThe Los Angeles Lakers
- Joel EmbiidThe Philadelphia 76ers
Putting Davis in the fourth spot obviously compromises the team’s shooting, and I’d be a little nervous about James and Embiid playing the primary defenders in a bunch of pick-and-rolls. But good luck scoring in the paint or grabbing rebounds against five guys who are under 6’4″. Really, who starts doesn’t matter. It’s not that the U.S. is unbeatable, but that anyone on this team could be worthy of starting (or closing) games. It’s about finding the right mix and hands between now and the quarterfinals on August 6.
Michael C. Wright
The depth gives Team USA some flexibility to get creative with various combinations depending on situational needs, meaning the starting five likely won’t be the group that ends up finishing games.
- Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors
- Anthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves
- Lebron JamesThe Los Angeles Lakers
- Kevin DurantPhoenix Suns
- Joel EmbiidThe Philadelphia 76ers
This group is very prolific in scoring, as the five players on this team are virtually impossible to defend. Curry and James (a two-time gold medalist) can handle facilitating duties in addition to scoring, and there’s no way to keep an Olympic legend like Durant out of the starting five, if he’s healthy, of course. A three-time Olympic gold medalist, Durant led the competition in scoring average in 2012, 2016 and 2020 and ranks No. 1 in Team USA history in points (435), three-pointers (74) and free throws (69).
