The recruitment of Joel Embiid marks a pivotal moment for Team USA as they look to bolster their roster ahead of the 2024 Olympics. As a reigning MVP and now a naturalized American citizen, Embiid's integration into the team has come with both great anticipation and critical scrutiny.
Embiid's journey to join Team USA was not without its challenges. The saga included a competitive tug-of-war with France, highlighted by a leaked letter allegedly written by Embiid to French President Emmanuel Macron requesting citizenship. Despite the controversy, his commitment to Team USA was solidified, much to the dismay of some in the French camp. Former French basketball player Frederic Weis even suggested that Embiid be banned from entering France for the Olympics following his decision.
The early stages of Embiid's tenure with Team USA have been a mixed bag. Fouling out of his first exhibition game against Canada and posting the worst plus-minus of any American who logged at least 10 minutes in the game against Serbia, Embiid has struggled to find his footing. Over three exhibition games, he managed 23 points on 7-of-19 shooting, highlighting his adjustment phase to the pace and style favored by guards like Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards.
Opponents have identified Embiid as a target in drop coverage, exploiting space around him with floaters. This tactic underscores some of the defensive challenges Team USA will need to address. However, Anthony Davis’s role as Embiid's backup offers a different perspective on dealing with such situations. Davis, with his mobility and verticality, provides a significant defensive upgrade in pick-and-roll scenarios—a style that suits the international game due to FIBA’s lack of a defensive three-second rule and lenient goaltending restrictions. Davis's impressive performance, including six blocks against Serbia and a total of 12 blocks over three games, demonstrates his readiness to impact the game.
Davis has also been efficient on the offensive end, shooting 13-of-24 from the floor over the three exhibition games. His willingness to step up whenever needed is evident in his own words: “I'd be happy to play if I'm asked.” This level of adaptability bodes well for Team USA, allowing head coach Steve Kerr to deploy lineups based on match-ups and in-game situations rather than relying on a single player to carry the team.
The established chemistry between Davis and LeBron James, formed over five years with the Los Angeles Lakers, adds another layer of coherence to the team's dynamics. Their tenure together is the longest of any two players on Team USA in the NBA, presenting a tried-and-tested backbone that Kerr can lean on. The bench groups of Team USA have thrived on speed and athleticism, with the frontcourt pairing of Davis and Bam Adebayo being central to the success of these units.
Team USA's strategy emphasizes a collective effort rather than individual heroics, providing a significant margin for error due to their overall talent advantage. This multidimensional approach enables the team to adapt seamlessly to various opponents, an essential quality for their pursuit of Olympic glory. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, Davis expressed his readiness to take on a more prominent role, stating, “I’d be happy to play if I’m asked.”
With a fortified roster featuring the likes of Embiid and Davis, supported by a cadre of athletic and versatile players, Team USA is poised to make a strong run in the 2024 Olympics. While both Embiid and the team iron out the kinks early on, the blend of talent and experience promises to make them a formidable opponent on the international stage.