Ranking Team USA's 3 best starting lineup combinations ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics training camp
The star-studded Team USA Men's Basketball will begin the 2024 NBA Paris Olympics camp in Las Vegas. LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant team up for the first time at a competitive level, giving USA fans plenty to cheer about as the Americans aim to revive themselves after a disappointing 2023 FIBA World Cup outing.
While leading with the expectations of winning the gold medal, a young squad led by Anthony Edwards could secure a fourth-place finish, losing a chance at the podium with losses to Germany in the semis and rivals Canada in the third-fourth place showdown.
That prompted the veteran stars to participate in the Paris games. Joining James, Durant and Curry will be Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo and Tyrese Haliburton.
The camp could be highly competitive, with presumably two starting spots up for grabs as Curry, James and Durant will likely have their spots reserved.
Here's a look at the three best combinations Team USA could have in their starting lineup ahead of the Las Vegas training camp.
Ranking Team USA's 3 best starting lineup combinations for 2024 Paris Olympics
#3) With Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis
With so much offensive firepower already available through Steph Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Team USA could add defensive reinforcements like Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis to create some balance. Holiday can be the point-of-attack defender on the perimeter, while AD can take care of things at the rim. He can also be effective in pick-and-roll defense. Davis' rebounding ability could also be significant, especially internationally.
The two can be handy on offense, too. LeBron and AD have their chemistry figured in two-man actions that can draw enough attention away from shotmakers like Holiday, Curry and Durant on the perimeter.
#2) With Anthony Edwards and Joel Embiid
Another compelling combination includes Anthony Edwards at the two and Joel Embiid at the five. Both are excellent two-way players. Team USA can deploy a five-out offense with Embiid, a better floor spacer than Anthony Davis. That can elevate Steph Curry's game more with better ball movement.
Meanwhile, Edwards isn't at Holiday's level defensively, but he's a pesky presence who can give it his all, knowing he doesn't have to carry the offensive burden himself. His athleticism and self-creation on offense can be useful when the game slows down.
#1) With Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid
One of the more hybrid lineups Team USA can use is with Jayson Tatum at the two and Joel Embiid at center. The starting lineup would then have four players at least 6-foot-8 or more.
Tatum's ability to guard all five positions is what the Celtics thrived on, especially in the finals, where Tatum guarded the bigs and entirely killed the Mavericks' offensive game plan.
With his size advantage, he would also elevate the team's rebounding opportunities. He's renowned for his offense. Team USA can maintain their efficiency on that end with the Celtics forward in the lineup.