3 reasons why Anthony Davis should start instead of Joel Embiid for Team USA
Team USA’s inclusion of Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid bolstered the Americans’ tag as the heavy favorites to rule basketball in the 2024 Olympics. Embiid, a former MVP, is easily one of the NBA’s most dominating and overpowering forces. Davis’ two-way brilliance has been almost taken for granted.
USA coach Steve Kerr is looking at either Davis or Embiid as the team’s starter at center. Bam Adebayo could spring a surprise and get the job but it seems like AD and “The Process” have the inside track. Kerr, in the Americans’ first tuneup game against Canada, lined up with the Philadelphia 76ers superstar to open the game.
With four more exhibition games before the quadrennial tournament starts, Kerr will have enough time to tinker. Anthony Davis is likely getting the start over Joel Embiid on Monday against Australia.
Steve Kerr will have a good problem to have as far as naming Team USA’s starting center. After Embiid showed his stuff on Wednesday, Davis could come in and win that role.
3 Reasons why Anthony Davis is the better fit at starting center over Joel Embiid
#3Joel Embiid is coming off an injury-plagued season
Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis are injury-prone, but the Sixers’ star was more so last season. “The Process” barely returned to lead his team to the playoffs and hobbled the rest of the way. Embiid underwent a surgical procedure to repair the meniscus in his left knee. He came back when it mattered most, but he wasn’t 100% healthy. Embiid’s probably not ready yet to anchor Team USA on both ends of the floor.
Meanwhile, Davis played a career-high 76 games last season and hasn’t played since late April. AD didn’t have any serious injury and had more time to rest before Team USA started training camp.
#2 Anthony Davis has more experience in the Olympics than Joel Embiid
Experience in international basketball has often played a big part in Team USA’s success or failure. Opponents who have clocked in more time in FIBA-sanctioned games or the Olympics often used that to their advantage against the Americans. Embiid will be making his debut for the Americans in international competition.
Anthony Davis will be going for his second gold medal in the Olympics. AD was part of the 2012 USA team along with LeBron James and Kevin Durant that bagged the top spot in London. Davis is more familiar with the rules, tempo and pressure of playing in the Olympics.
Joel Embiid fouled out in the third quarter of an exhibition game against Canada. He might not last past the first half against Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic who is one of the most experienced players in the Olympics.
#1 Anthony Davis is more familiar with LeBron James than Joel Embiid
Steve Kerr emphasized chemistry and two-way impact as factors in choosing Team USA’s starters. Since LeBron James will likely start, putting him together with Anthony Davis just makes more sense. Davis and James won an NBA championship and have been together for years. The big man's chemistry with the four-time MVP will be indispensable.
A Davis-James pick-and-roll with Steph Curry and Kevin Durant around them will be a nightmare to defend. Add Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards or Devin Booker in the mix and the Americans could run roughshod over everyone. Opponents can only hope Team USA struggles with its shooting for a chance to pull off an upset.