The 2024 Paris Olympics, which start July 26 and conclude Aug. 11, will embrace a few of the finest basketball gamers on the earth within the males’s event.
Per FanDuel, Group USA, which contains a bevy of NBA stars and future Corridor of Famers, is the heavy favourite to win a gold medal. The Individuals have by much more gold medals (16) within the sport than another nation.
Nevertheless, the surge in European expertise means Group USA is not assured the highest spot on the medal podium.
This is a rating (in inverse order) of the most effective 10 gamers — all NBA stars — anticipated to play within the Olympics:
10. Kevin Durant | United States | Phoenix Suns
Durant, 35, continues to be a top-10 participant on the earth. His 6-foot-11 body and limitless taking pictures potential will guarantee he is a big menace in opposition to all opponents.
Durant played in 75 regular-season games for Phoenix this season, averaging 27.1 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 5 assists. He’s nursing a calf harm that prevented him from taking part in in Group USA’s 98-92 win over Australia on Monday and a 105-79 win over Serbia on Wednesday.
If wholesome, Durant may have a big position in head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation because the Suns’ star chases his fourth Olympic gold medal.
9. Anthony Davis | United States | Los Angeles Lakers
Davis, a 6-foot-10 ahead, has shined throughout Group USA’s warm-up video games in opposition to Canada and Australia. His physicality and inside presence have considerably boosted Kerr’s roster. Davis may emerge as a dominant pressure all through the Olympics and cement himself because the workforce’s most vital participant.
Davis tasks as a two-way juggernaut when factoring in his mobility and lateral quickness, so opponents may have him excessive on their scouting reviews. Group USA’s many scoring choices ought to present him with sufficient spacing to thrive on the glass and within the paint.
8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Canada | Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
After an MVP-caliber season, Gilgeous-Alexander — the fourth-leading scorer within the NBA in 2023-24 (30.1 PPG) — shall be hoping to guide the Canadians to solely their second medal within the sport. (They gained a silver on the 1936 Video games in Berlin.)
The Thunder’s star guard is an elite ball-handler, playmaker, scorer and transition menace. His presence will permit Canada to play with tempo whereas additionally breaking down groups within the half-court.
Jamal Murray’s partnership with Gilgeous-Alexander also needs to assist carry the most effective out of the All-Star guard, as SGA may have a secondary playmaker and scorer to assist take stress off his shoulders.
7. LeBron James | United States | Los Angeles Lakers
Even at 39, James continues to be among the finest gamers on the earth. His presence inside the Group USA setup is a significant enhance to its probabilities of success. James’ physicality, three-level scoring and defensive management will be key aspects of Kerr’s sport plan.
Count on James for use sparingly as an on-ball creator. As an alternative, his energy and athleticism on catch-and-drive actions will possible be a staple of his position underneath Kerr.
James has advanced as a fringe shooter, hitting 41% from deep final season. If he can function in some pick-and-pop actions or is prepared to house the ground and hit catch-and-shoot jumpers, his worth to the workforce will rise additional.
6. Jayson Tatum | United States | Boston Celtics
Tatum enters the Olympics as an NBA champion and a former Olympic gold medalist. He has additionally emerged as a real “successful” participant.
Over the previous yr, Tatum has flashed a complete skill set. Kerr will undoubtedly need to use his dimension (6-foot-8) and energy, trusting that Tatum could make passing reads when driving to the ring if the protection collapses.
After a tricky NBA season on the perimeter (37.6% from three), Tatum might construct rhythm from deep as he seems to interrupt out of the worst taking pictures stoop of his profession.
5. Stephen Curry | United States | Golden State Warriors
Curry continues to be the most effective shooter on the planet — scratch that — he is the most effective shooter in historical past (42.6% taking pictures proportion from three for profession). Enjoying in his first Olympics, Curry and his perimeter scoring, flooring spacing and playmaking will be the engine that makes Group USA tick.
Kerr, the Golden State Warriors HC, and Curry are clearly accustomed to one another. Count on Kerr to function Curry on offense at each potential alternative. His presence on Group USA’s roster will unlock scoring alternatives for everybody round him.
4. Joel Embiid | United States | Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid continues to be recovering from meniscus surgery, however when wholesome, he is without doubt one of the most dominant gamers on the earth. He is nearly unstoppable within the paint and has the flexibility to defend the rim at an elite stage. Nevertheless, he seemed sluggish throughout Group USA’s opening pre-Olympic video games, and his mobility additionally seemed restricted.
If he can earn professional minutes, Embiid will give Group USA an X-factor in the course of the ground. Sadly for the Individuals, the MVP candidate is unlikely to play an excessive amount of as he continues to recuperate and focuses on the upcoming NBA season.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Greece | Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo is the battering ram who offers Greece’s offense legitimacy. Even the most effective defenses within the event will wrestle to comprise the Bucks’ star. When he goes downhill — both in transition or when coming off a display — there are little opponents can do to cease him.
Greece would not mission to be a top-three workforce within the Olympics. Nevertheless, with Antetokounmpo, the Greeks might be the event’s shock package deal.
2. Luka Doncic | Slovenia | Dallas Mavericks
Doncic is certainly essentially the most expert guard within the event and a bonafide famous person. His expertise taking part in underneath FIBA guidelines and distinctive scoring potential (28.7 PPG in six NBA seasons) will make Slovenia a tricky out for any opponent. Doncic can be extremely snug working as a heliocentric star, the place all the pieces revolves round him.
Nonetheless, Slovenia lacks high-level expertise elsewhere on its roster. As such, Slovenia should keep away from Canada, France and the U.S. for it to make a deep run within the event.
1. Nikola Jokic | Serbia | Denver Nuggets
Jokic continues to be the most effective participant on the earth. His unorthodox taking part in fashion and elite passing potential (6.9 APG profession common in NBA) make him one of many hardest opponents to protect. Serbia performs a bodily model of basketball with a heavy emphasis on executing the fundamentals at a excessive stage.
No matter who Serbia performs, it’ll at all times have the most effective participant on the court docket. If the Serbs can execute underneath a strict sport plan, Jokic’s presence may give them a shot at successful a medal.
