Draw for the FIBA World Cup [Manila, Philippines, Apr 29]

[usagre]

The key to future USA basketball success will be :

Stability in coaching. As i predicted that Popovich cycle proved to be a debacle. I don’t love Kerr but he can’t be as bad as Popovich was in coaching the team. At least he’s young enough that if successful maybe he can have a 6 year tenure up to the ‘28 Olympics.

Proper roster composition with defined roles and well rounded not lacking any key facets like outside shooting and bigs. You can easily put together many combinations of US players and win Gold medals if done properly.

[Toruko]

The key to future USA basketball success will be :

Stability in coaching. As i predicted that Popovich cycle proved to be a debacle. I don’t love Kerr but he can’t be as bad as Popovich was in coaching the team. At least he’s young enough that if successful maybe he can have a 6 year tenure up to the ‘28 Olympics.

Proper roster composition with defined roles and well rounded not lacking any key facets like outside shooting and bigs. You can easily put together many combinations of US players and win Gold medals if done properly.

You need Mike Krzyzewski back!

[usagre]

You need Mike Krzyzewski back!

There are plenty of coaches who can follow his blueprint. Simplify the offense, pressure defense.
Proper substitution patterns. It’s not rocket science when you have such an overwhelming advantage in talent.
Popovich was the wrong guy at the wrong time.

[Straight forward]

Popovic wasn't entirely free to choose all the pieces he needed, was he?

[DenverJokic]

USA will probably bring a mostly young team, with a few veteran players mixed in, to the World Cup. I imagine the top USA players will hold out for the Paris Olympics. Sounds like USA will have the team picked out going into training camp, meaning there will be no actual tryouts. I think this process will allow Kerr to avoid the same roster construction issues that Pop had in 2019. My guess on who USA will bring.

PG - Tyrese Haliburton - Alex Caruso - Mike Conley
SG - Tyrese Maxey - Jordan Poole
SF - Mikal Bridges - Keldon Johnson
PF - Cam Johnson - Jalen Williams
C - Myles Turner - Bobby Portis - Evan Mobley

[Steadysoul]

USA will probably bring a mostly young team, with a few veteran players mixed in, to the World Cup. I imagine the top USA players will hold out for the Paris Olympics. Sounds like USA will have the team picked out going into training camp, meaning there will be no actual tryouts. I think this process will allow Kerr to avoid the same roster construction issues that Pop had in 2019. My guess on who USA will bring.

PG - Tyrese Haliburton - Alex Caruso - Mike Conley
SG - Tyrese Maxey - Jordan Poole
SF - Mikal Bridges - Keldon Johnson
PF - Cam Johnson - Jalen Williams
C - Myles Turner - Bobby Portis - Evan Mobley

This looks like an roster 5 seasons into a myleague save. Not a team designed to actually compete.

[Giannis34GOD]

Kobe Bryant didn’t have an ego and was a team player ? Please. Chemistry will always be an important aspect but can always be formed with proper roles and buy ins for these 2 week tournaments.

Kobe is a special case... plus LBJ, Wade and others humbled themselves because they know they are not that level that Kobe has in 2008... In 2008 redeem team, Kobe was the alpha dog and LBJ is the best side kick (Even i'm LBJ fan i admit it)... The current generation has no luxury on that unless one of LBJ, Curry or KD will lead those young generation players...

[Giannis34GOD]

Steph Curry never played a significant role for USA basketball.

a handful of the players from the ‘19 team are relevant to this discussion. Tatum, Mitchell and Brown. You can throw the rest of that roster out.

I think in 2014 he is the lead PG atleast, Kyrie win the MVP but Steph was anchoring the offense for USA IN 2014... He can do what Kyrie did in 2014... Curry's playstyle is fit to FIBA games, but he step aside just to win... While D Rose was their veteran that time, but he played minimal minutes because he came from injury....

[Giannis34GOD]

USA will probably bring a mostly young team, with a few veteran players mixed in, to the World Cup. I imagine the top USA players will hold out for the Paris Olympics. Sounds like USA will have the team picked out going into training camp, meaning there will be no actual tryouts. I think this process will allow Kerr to avoid the same roster construction issues that Pop had in 2019. My guess on who USA will bring.

PG - Tyrese Haliburton - Alex Caruso - Mike Conley
SG - Tyrese Maxey - Jordan Poole
SF - Mikal Bridges - Keldon Johnson
PF - Cam Johnson - Jalen Williams
C - Myles Turner - Bobby Portis - Evan Mobley

I also expect that roster, But i guess coach Kerr will add atleast 2 veteran players who won medals in past Olympic/FIBA games... They still need veteran players to lead those young core... In 2010, there was Billups and Odom while in 2014, There was D Rose and Davis (He won 2012 Olympic gold so i put him already as veteran even he's still young)... Having no veteran players in a team will blow up team chemistry and comraderies of the team (check Memphis Grizzlies) ...

[Giannis34GOD]

The key to future USA basketball success will be :

Stability in coaching. As i predicted that Popovich cycle proved to be a debacle. I don’t love Kerr but he can’t be as bad as Popovich was in coaching the team. At least he’s young enough that if successful maybe he can have a 6 year tenure up to the ‘28 Olympics.

Proper roster composition with defined roles and well rounded not lacking any key facets like outside shooting and bigs. You can easily put together many combinations of US players and win Gold medals if done properly.

I think team USA doesn't need to much superstars in one team... Maybe 3 - 5 stars (or superstars if needed) then the rest will be role players just like Adebayo or Jaret Jackson Jr,. Or a 6th man type of players such as Poole, Brogdon or Reaves (Will he play for Germany?) (Clarkson is also fit in that category but he's now playing for Philippines).. I still see USA will win but very close and possible to beat too (like France in 2019 and 2021 match up)....

[DenverJokic]

This looks like an roster 5 seasons into a myleague save. Not a team designed to actually compete.

Sucks for the USA.

[Steadysoul]

Sucks for the USA.

Really just a demonstration of your inability to put together a roster. Like Mike Conley really?? Highly unlikely. This is the most random collection of players you could have picked.

[DenverJokic]

Really just a demonstration of your inability to put together a roster. Like Mike Conley really?? Highly unlikely. This is the most random collection of players you could have picked.

I said this was my guess and not what I would do.

Conley is on here because in the past the US would have a veteran PG on the roster to help the young players. See Jason Kidd in 2008 & Chauncey Billups in 2010. Conley also averaged close to 8 assists a game this season. Not everyone can be a scorer.

Kerr, has reportedly already met with Caruso. Who is a high level role player and one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. USA has always brought guys like this, Igoudala in 2010 & 2012.

Haliburton, is a 20p & 10a guy in the NBA. Easy choice.

Poole & Maxey are 20ppg scorers and shoot high levels from 3.

Mikal Bridges is the protoype 3&D player. Can defend multiple positions. Can play SG, SF or PF. Highly versatile.

Keldon Johnson, member of the Tokyo Olympic team. Versatile forward who can play multiple positions.

Cam Johnson & Jalen Williams, also fall into the versatile forward position that the USA has always brought to tournaments.

Myles Turner played 2019 and is a good rebounder and shot blocker.

Evan Mobley, can defend multiple positions and play PF or C. Which might be needed against Greece or Lithuania. Mobley could probably be a game wrecker in FIBA with his length and the fact that the FIBA court is smaller than the NBA court. Less space to cover.

Bobby Ports averaged 14p & 9r per game for the Bucks. Also can play PF or C if needed.

The fact is a lot of best younger players in the NBA are from oversees and USA’s best players are in their 30s and don’t value the World Cup like they do the Olympics. The players who are in the mid 20s like Booker and Tatum don’t value the World Cup like they do with the Olympics.

[thiago94]

(...) or Reaves (Will he play for Germany?) (...)

No, he won't. He didn't even respond to the calls and messages of Coach Herbert.

[mojo13]

No, he won't. He didn't even respond to the calls and messages of Coach Herbert.

There are always a few overly enthusiastic posters who are certain every eligible NBA player (and even those not even eligible) will certainly play for whatever country they are associated with. Maybe these are young posters and this is their 1st or 2nd big tournement and are just a little naive about the pressures NBA players are under not to play FIBA.

Maybe there will be more NBA players than the last World Cup but that it beacuse there are more international NBA players than ever before. Canada alone should add another 8 to 12 into the count. But every big name you guys throw out there and say is 100% playing is actually quite at risk of not playing. I will actually be pleasantly suprised if I see Giannis, Luka, Porzingis, Jokic, Lauri, Wembayama, Gobert, Durant, Tatum or other big names actually show up. Some certainly will...many others won't....

Let's wait a little before getting too excited about anyone.