Paris 2024 Olympics: Four takeaways from USA men’s basketball warm-up series

Team USA is the winningest men’s basketball program in Olympic history, taking home gold at 16 of the 20 Olympic Games featuring the sport. Gold medals have become the norm but, with a few close calls throughout the warm-up series, it is not a guarantee this time. That said, featuring four former NBA MVPs, seven NBA champions and one of the greatest basketball players ever, expectations are understandably high for the U.S. team.

Team USA will play three Group C games in Lille when the Olympic Games Paris 2024 begin, with their first game being on 28 July, against Serbia. This will be followed by a 31 July rematch against South Sudan and a 3 August matchup with Puerto Rico before the knockout stages begin. This group is looking to win their fifth consecutive gold medal in Paris.

Here are four takeaways with Team USA’s undefeated tune-up series in the rearview mirror and Paris 2024 on the horizon.

The LeBron James effect

At 39 years old, LeBron James will become the oldest player to ever suit up for Team USA men’s basketball at the Olympics when the Games begin in Paris. But based on his performance during the latter half of the warm-up series, one might not be able to tell.

James was essential in the team’s final two wins, providing clutch play after clutch play when Team USA was teetering on the brink of defeat. Against South Sudan, he led the team in scoring including the game-winning layup, which he made look all too easy, with eight seconds remaining. Two days later, James helped fend off Germany with pivotal plays on both ends of the floor, asserting his will against the 2023 FIBA World Cup champions.

“It was a good test for us. And I’m glad we were able to once again keep our composure, persevere like we did the other day versus South Sudan,” said James. “It was a good win for us.”

His leadership has been palpable through his calm demeanor in big moments and keeping the group loose off the floor. James will be a focal point of Team USA and the Games as a whole, even being named the United States’ male flagbearer at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.

“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” said James. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to bring us all together and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”

Starting lineup shuffling

Throughout the leadup to Paris 2024, head coach Steve Kerr has continued to tinker with Team USA’s starting lineup, trying three different combinations, none of which provided consistent cohesion. It is important to note that these tweaks were heavily impacted by the absence of Kevin Durant, who missed all five warm-up games as he battles a calf strain.

Durant is Team USA’s most experienced international player and is the program’s all-time leader in Olympic scoring. He has already won three gold medals and will almost certainly be a pivotal member of the starting lineup once he is healthy. The 35-year-old’s value cannot be overlooked, especially when Team USA’s offense has sputtered for stretches during the tuneup games.

“He’ll give us more firepower, more leadership,” said James. “We’re looking forward to his return. We’re strong already, he’ll make us stronger.”

The grouping of Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, James and Joel Embiid was Kerr’s most utilized starting lineup variation, appearing in three of the five games. Booker, specifically, has struggled to find his rhythm with this group, averaging only 5.6 points in over 20 minutes per game during his three starts. The same goes for Embiid, whose scoring improved over the course of the warm-up series, but struggled limiting turnovers.

Holiday has been extremely consistent when inserted into the starting lineup, bringing his usual levels of defensive excellence while being efficient on the offensive end. Curry has not shot well overall, but he continues to get looks and one would assume that there is no need to worry about the sports’ greatest shooter.

Assuming Durant enters the starting five, it is reasonable to project this group to transition from viable to highly dominant. At the same time, Durant has not gotten the chance to get acclimated with this group on the court which has the potential to be problematic.

Offensive inconsistency

In a majority of Team USA’s tune-up games, the group has navigated through stretches of offensive stagnancy. One example being their frigid shooting in the first half against South Sudan that allowed the Bright Stars to apply pressure and jump out to a 14-point lead. The team shot 14-35 from the field and just 1-12 from deep in the first half, struggling to create open looks and missing them even when they did.

In the moments where the offense has sputtered, it has often been due to players settling for difficult shots rather than making the extra pass for a better look. While these players make a living off these shots in the NBA, there is less space to operate in international play so ball movement is paramount.

Several Team USA players have shot well below their capabilities to this point, which opens the door to positive regression that could jumpstart the offense. Durant’s return would surely address this need too. Another cure to Team USA’s offensive woes has been James simply taking over games, especially in the clutch, by forcing his way to the rim. His dribble penetration alone can make defenses scramble and create open shots for others.

Rotation decisions

With a team as talented as this, rotation decisions and minute allotments can be complicated. Similar to the starting five, Kerr has messed around with different combinations attempting to find the right elixir. Anthony Edwards has been Team USA’s sixth man and often has the ball in his hands when he is on the floor. His point-of-attack defense will also be pivotal in the moments when Holiday is not on the floor.

Anthony Davis was a clear bright spot during the tuneup series, dominating on defense including six blocked shots against Serbia and four against Canada. It is worth monitoring if he cuts into Embiid’s minutes if the former MVP’s inconsistencies continue.

Guard Tyrese Haliburton saw his minutes consistently cut down over the five-game warm-up. In fact, he never entered the game in the United States’ final matchup against Germany after playing just seven minutes against South Sudan. Derrick White could be an option to fill these minutes, providing better defense and requiring less of the ball. This is where the absence of Durant further complicates this outlook, as a likely minimum of 20 minutes a night will need to be allotted to the Phoenix Suns star.

Jayson Tatum has struggled with his shooting efficiency leading up to the Games but his scoring ability could easily become an x-factor off the bench for Team USA.