In a significant move for Team USA, the recruitment of Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP and newly naturalized American citizen, has fortified their roster as they prepare for the 2024 Olympics. Embiid's decision to join the American squad was far from straightforward, involving a competitive tug-of-war with France, underlined by a leaked letter allegedly written by Embiid to French President Emmanuel Macron requesting citizenship.
Former French basketball player Frederic Weis, evidently frustrated by Embiid's choice, even suggested that Embiid be banned from entering France for the Olympics. Despite the controversy, Embiid’s commitment to Team USA marks a crucial addition to Steve Kerr's star-studded lineup.
However, Embiid’s integration into the team has not been a smooth transition. In his debut exhibition game against Canada, Embiid fouled out, signaling a rocky start. Over the course of three exhibition matches, his performance remained inconsistent, managing 23 points on a disparate 7-of-19 shooting. His defensive struggles were particularly evident in the game against Serbia, where he posted the worst plus-minus rating of any American player who logged at least 10 minutes on the floor.
The Davis Factor
While Embiid has grappled with the tempo and style preferred by guards like Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards, his backup Anthony Davis has excelled. Davis has notably thrived under FIBA's rules, which lack a defensive three-second restriction and have more lenient goaltending regulations. These conditions have played to Davis's strengths, allowing him to amass six blocks in the game against Serbia and a total of 12 blocks over three exhibition games.
Offensively, Davis has been efficient, shooting 13-of-24 from the floor across three games. His mobility and verticality have offered a considerable advantage in pick-and-roll situations, in stark contrast to the space opponents have exploited around Embiid in drop coverage.
Team Dynamics
The synergy between Davis and LeBron James, formed over five years with the Los Angeles Lakers, has been another boon for Team USA. This chemistry, along with Davis's readiness to "step up whenever needed," fortifies the team’s adaptability, especially crucial given Kerr's strategy of not revolving around any single player but adapting based on match-ups and in-game situations.
Team USA’s reserves have particularly thrived on their speed and athleticism, with Davis and Bam Adebayo’s frontcourt pairing being central to the bench group’s success. This depth provides a significant margin for error given their overall talent advantage, a luxury not available to many other teams.
Eyes on Olympic Glory
As Team USA prepares for potential Olympic glory, the integration of key players like Embiid and the strategic utilization of stalwarts like Davis will be pivotal. Kerr’s non-reliance on a single player allows Team USA to pivot and adjust dynamically, setting them up for the myriad challenges that lie ahead.
In the grand tapestry of international basketball, the inclusion of Joel Embiid and the stellar backup performance of Anthony Davis strengthen the narrative that Team USA, with its depth and strategic flexibility, is gearing up robustly for the 2024 Olympics.