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Team USA shouldn't need LeBron James, Kevin Durant to re-establish dominance in FIBA men's basketball

duane rankin, arizona republic
·4 min read
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Devin Booker and Kevin Durant pose for a photo during the medal ceremony for a basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant pose for a photo during the medal ceremony for a basketball game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.

Team USA didn’t finish the job in the FIBA World Cup, but still has a chance to finish on a winning note.

Losing to Germany isn’t the end of USA Basketball.

Wakeup call for sure. Again.

Noah Lyles is on the winning end of that “world champions” debate right now, but this outcry for Team USA to have LeBron James and Kevin Durant play in the 2024 Olympics in Paris is crazy.

They’ve won more than enough gold for their country in international competition.

A nearly 40-year-old James suiting up one more time for Team USA?

Come on now. There’s more than enough talent in America to win gold in Paris.

More on that later.

Truth be told, facing Canada in the World Cup is the matchup I wanted to see anyway.

It’ll be for bronze, not gold, but this game has more than enough for those willing to stay up until 1:30 a.m., Sunday, to watch on ESPN-plus.

Canada not only has seven NBA players, but it’ll have the best player on the floor in All-NBA first teamer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Oklahoma City.

Dillon Brooks, the one you love to hate, will likely take on the challenge of guarding Anthony Edwards, who has been hands down the best player for Team USA.

Dillon Brooks celebrates hitting a shot in Canada's win over Slovenia.
Dillon Brooks celebrates hitting a shot in Canada's win over Slovenia.

R.J. Barrett is Canada’s second-leading scorer behind Gilgeous-Alexander and former Arizona State one-and-done Lu Dort is the immovable object on defense.

Canada is the perfect foil for Team USA after that loss to Germany.

The Americans need to play someone they know can beat them.

Thought Germany would’ve put that necessary fear in Team USA for multiple reasons starting with the Germans being the last unbeaten team in World Cup.

They have NBA guys, too, in Magic brothers Franz and Mo Wagner, Raptors guard Dennis Schroder and Pacers big Daniel Theis.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - SEPTEMBER 08: Franz Wagner #9 of Germany drives to the basket against Tyrese Haliburton #4 of the United States during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Semi Final game between USA and Germany at Mall of Asia Arena on September 08, 2023 in Manila, Philippines.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - SEPTEMBER 08: Franz Wagner #9 of Germany drives to the basket against Tyrese Haliburton #4 of the United States during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Semi Final game between USA and Germany at Mall of Asia Arena on September 08, 2023 in Manila, Philippines.

Franz Wagner has size at 6-10, handles and star ability and Schroder, at his best, is a handful to check.

Maybe USA’s comeback victory over Germany in that exhibition game in Abu Dhabi gave them false sense of security going into the rematch.

Safe bet Germany was motivated to avenge that collapse.

Now Team USA needs to bounce back against Canada. The only thing worse than missing out on the gold medal for Team USA is to miss out on a medal period.

That could very well happen if Team USA doesn’t show up – and it could get ugly, too.

Canada has never won a medal in World Cup play and have only one Olympic medal dating all the way back to 1936 in Berlin when they took silver.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - SEPTEMBER 05: Tyrese Haliburton #4 of the United States argues a call with the referee in the first quarter during the FIBA Basketball World Cup quarterfinal game against Italy at Mall of Asia Arena on September 05, 2023 in Manila, Philippines.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - SEPTEMBER 05: Tyrese Haliburton #4 of the United States argues a call with the referee in the first quarter during the FIBA Basketball World Cup quarterfinal game against Italy at Mall of Asia Arena on September 05, 2023 in Manila, Philippines.

As Tyrese Haliburton said, Canada is “coming” for Team USA.

Regardless of the USA-Canada outcome, Stephen Curry is the must-have guy for Team USA for Paris.

Convince him to play and that’s the start of what could be a special squad.

He’ll not only be playing for Warriors coach Steve Kerr, but Curry can add to his legacy.

If he leads Team USA to gold, does that elevate him to top five all-time? It’d be great to see him in that Olympic environment hitting 3s and having fans from all over the world losing their minds.

Curry can have the same impact the late Kobe Bryant had on the “Redeem Team.”

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands on the court during pregame introductions against the Phoenix Suns at the Chase Center in San Francisco on March 13, 2023.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands on the court during pregame introductions against the Phoenix Suns at the Chase Center in San Francisco on March 13, 2023.

From there, it’s about building around Curry.

How about Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker and De’Aaron Fox to start?

Butler can go from just being on the team in 2016 in Rio to being the man in 2024 in Paris.

Then bring in Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Bam Adebayo and Jarrett Allen.

Can’t live with the starting center averaging 2.9 rebounds and foul prone like Jaren Jackson Jr. He’s averaging nearly more fouls (2.7) than boards in the World Cup.

Keep Edwards. That’s 10.

USA guard Anthony Edwards dunks against Jordan during the second half of a Basketball World Cup group C match in Manila, Philippines.
USA guard Anthony Edwards dunks against Jordan during the second half of a Basketball World Cup group C match in Manila, Philippines.

Wouldn’t mind Team USA keeping at least one more World Cup team, but it should keep options open.

No need for James or Durant to play for Team USA to win gold.

Again, those two have done more than enough.

It’s time for someone else to carry the torch and re-establish USA dominance in men's international basketball.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: USA shouldn't need LeBron James, Kevin Durant to win Olympic gold in Paris