While talking about some of the most iconic teams in basketball history, the conversation cannot end without one team getting mentioned. The NBA shocked the entire world when they announced the 1992 USA Olympics Men’s basketball team. The team’s stunning roster received the legendary title of the ‘Dream Team’.
However, the Dream Team may have received their toughest competition yet. As announced on Wednesday, the 2024 USA Olympic team will have the biggest stars of the modern generation of basketball. The list is filled with multiple-time champions, MVPs, and the future stars of the league. With the talent, the team also has a ton of experience to thrive on the international level.
The starting five consists of LeBron James who won the gold medal twice for the team previously. Kevin Durant is returning to the team for the fourth time as Stephen Curry will officially debut. Former MVP Joel Embiid will also make his debut as he chose not to play for France.
With the younger part of the roster, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, and Bam Adebayo will play in their second consecutive Olympic competition. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards will take centerstage again for Team USA after playing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Anthony Davis will play for the second time with debutant Kawhi Leonard.
Potential international finale of 2000’s draft class
The Big 3 of Team USA LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant might play their last international game together. James is currently the oldest player in the league at the age of 39 with his 21st season in the league. The star is returning to the Olympics after eleven years.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant during the 2024 NBA All-Star game. (Image via NBA)Durant is on his 17th year in the league while Curry is on his 15th. Both players have been teammates in the past and have also won championships together but never teamed up in the Olympics. Considering the stars are in their late 30s, the duo might not be active after four years.
James himself has previously mentioned that the end of the star’s career is near during the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend. The trio was also together in Team West which was treasured by NBA fans. Hence, watching the three play together on the International level for the first and last time is once in a lifetime opportunity.
The competition is much tougher in this era
The 1992 Dream Team had an undefeated record of 8-0 in the competition as no other team even came close to winning the gold medal. However, that is not the case anymore. The teams in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup gave tough competition to Team USA.
Team USA vs Team Germany game in FIBA 2023. (Image via CBS Sports)Many other countries are stepping up their game as Germany made it to their first finals debut and won the gold with an undefeated record. Serbia won the Silver after losing to Germany. Canada’s roster secured the last medal of Bronze of the World Cup by defeating the USA. Despite not making it to the finals, European countries Latvia and Lithuania had better winning percentages than the USA.
NBA veterans were not happy with Team USA’s performance in the World Cup. Hence, the NBA old-timers decided to take matters into their own hands and participate in the Olympic squad. The best players of the best league feeling the need to participate in international games speaks volumes of the drastic improvement in global basketball.
One step forward for USA vs. World All-Star game
The NBA All-Star returned to the East vs. West format this year to potentially increase the competitiveness of the competition. However, fans were again disappointed by the lack of winning spirit among the players. As a result, Commissioner Adam Silver proposed a new idea.
Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis – NBA All-Star game (Image via open source)As many international players are now part of the NBA, the commissioner suggested a Team USA vs. Team World format. However, the announcement has not been official yet. The USA NBA stars playing against the international NBA stars in the Olympics will be a start for the All-Star agenda.
Team USA has the potential to end the international players dominating the NBA debate. In the past few years, players like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have become one of the most important names in the NBA as the European players have won both championships and MVPs.
The Dream Team was certainly legendary but times for the game of basketball have changed now. The 2024 USA Team roster has the potential to be the best team in the modern days of basketball.
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