2024 Olympics men’s basketball preview: Team USA hopes to stave off strong field

The bar is incredibly high. 

The U.S. men’s basketball team has put together some of the best rosters ever assembled, from the “Dream Team” to the “Redeem Team.” 

Now a case could be made that this summer’s team for the Paris 2024 Olympics possesses as much talent as any of the teams that came before. 

Veterans LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant represent an old guard of superstars who have dominated the NBA for a generation.

It will be the 36-year-old Curry’s first time playing at the Olympics.

It’s likely the last Olympics for James and Durant, too. 

Team USA also possesses a youthful core ready to pick up the torch. 

Jayson Tatum, along with Team USA teammates Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, powered the Celtics to an NBA championship.

Anthony Edwards helped carry the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals.

Joel Embiid has won an MVP with the 76ers.

Devin Booker has reached the Finals with the Suns.

Anthony Davis is still just 31 years old. 

But international opponents have begun closing the gap on the U.S. in recent years.

It seems like every year lottery picks enter the NBA out of France, most notably.

Canada has become a force with a golden generation of stars, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Serbia is always dangerous, powered by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. 

So, Team USA’s spot atop the medal stand will receive a strong challenge. 

Just take the Americans’ 101-100 exhibition win over South Sudan in which they narrowly avoided an embarrassing upset in their ramp-up to the Games. 

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball. And our brand of basketball is playing defense,” Curry said after Saturday’s game. “We didn’t make them uncomfortable at all in the first half and they took advantage of it. But we also learned we have that gear if we can find it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes and it’s a great reminder of both.” 

2024 PARIS OLYMPICS

The contenders 

France

Loaded with experience and emerging youngsters, France can be considered a heavyweight.

Victor Wembanyama, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and former No. 1 overall pick, and Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert combine for a menacing frontcourt, and Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier provide veteran scoring punch. 

Canada

In addition to the Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadian roster also features Nuggets star Jamal Murray, ex-Knick RJ Barrett and other NBA players in Dwight Powell, Andrew Nembhard, Luguentz Dort and Dillon Brooks. 

Wild cards 

Germany

The 2023 FIBA World Cup winners played the U.S. close in a 92-88 exhibition thriller.

Germany’s roster has NBA players Franz and Moe Wagner in addition to Dennis Schroder and Daniel Theis. 

Spain

La Roja medaled at three straight Olympics before falling to sixth at the Tokyo Games.

The team has no players currently playing in the NBA. 

Star power 

Serbia

Led by Jokic, the reigning NBA MVP and winner of three of the past four awards, Serbia was trounced, 105-79, by the U.S. in an exhibition on Wednesday.

The team, which also features Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, won a silver medal at the FIBA World Cup last year. 

Greece

It helps to have a two-time MVP on your side.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,” will be playing in his first Olympics.