Crew USA basketball – The largest takeaways from the exhibition win over Canada

Forward of its quest for a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, Crew USA’s males’s basketball group started its exhibition schedule Wednesday evening with an 86-72 win over Canada in Las Vegas.

On the day guard Derrick White changed ahead Kawhi Leonard on the 12-man roster, Crew USA hit the courtroom towards a proficient Canada group projected to medal within the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Following a sluggish begin — together with lacking its first six pictures — the People clicked within the second quarter because the Canadians went chilly from the sphere. Crew USA outscored Canada 16-2 within the paint within the second and carried a 41-33 lead into half.

Regardless of a run from Canada out of halftime, the U.S. prolonged its lead all through the tip of the third quarter and the fourth. 4 People completed in double-digit scoring with Anthony Edwards main the way in which with 13 factors. Anthony Davis recorded a double-double with 11 factors and 10 rebounds. RJ Barrett led Crew Canada with 12 factors.

Crew USA will now flip its consideration to Australia on Monday when the groups meet in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier than then, what have been the most important takeaways from the win over Canada?

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Steph lobs to LeBron for a USA alley-oop

Steph Curry throws an alley-oop to LeBron James who slams it residence.

1. Crew USA’s efficiency towards Canada was _____.

Tim Bontemps: Very encouraging. Crew USA didn’t play nicely in any respect — it dedicated 17 turnovers and customarily appeared disjointed, notably on the offensive facet. And but, Crew USA cruised to a double-digit victory over certainly one of its two greatest challengers for the gold medal subsequent month (the opposite being France). On prime of all that, Joel Embiid — who continues to be ramping again up after taking part in by means of a knee harm within the NBA playoffs — appeared like he had a wholesome quantity of rust to knock off. This sport solely reinforces how clearly Crew USA is favored over the remainder of the sphere in Paris.

Bobby Marks: An excellent check. Nothing towards Cooper Flagg and the choose group, however taking part in in entrance of a sellout crowd towards a Canadian group that includes Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks was a great check. Crew USA did deal with the sport like an All-Star Sunday, nevertheless it appeared like a preview of what ought to be anticipated in France.

Dave McMenamin: A blueprint to observe for when the video games matter. As long as the U.S. defends and will get out in transition, the truth that this roster had so little time to coalesce forward of the Olympics should not matter — it held Canada to 33.7% taking pictures whereas racking up 11 steals and 9 blocked pictures. By creating so many operating alternatives, shot distribution wasn’t a difficulty — all 10 gamers who acquired in took a minimum of 4 pictures, and no participant tried greater than 10.

Ohm Youngmisuk: Higher than anticipated. Canada is a formidable opponent with Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray. It might have completely been anticipated and comprehensible if Crew USA got here out rusty after convening a couple of days earlier than, nevertheless it flashed loads of potential — offense, protection, dimension and flexibility. We did not get to see an opponent check Crew USA inside due to Canada’s lack of dimension. And it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how the U.S. adjusts when defenses take Stephen Curry’s exterior taking pictures away and a few of its stars fall into foul bother (like Embiid fouling out late within the fourth quarter). However for the primary outing, Crew USA ought to be happy.

Bontemps: One thing nobody with Crew USA was involved with nor took severely. Edwards mentioned he was comfortable to come back off the bench throughout that very same media session. He appeared terrific Wednesday taking part in as a part of a second unit that includes Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum that appeared like it will be an actual asset if coach Steve Kerr sticks with it. Edwards already is well-known for making bombastic feedback, and this was simply one other one. As Adebayo mentioned Sunday, “Everybody on this group is a No. 1 choice.”

Marks: Not stunning. Anytime Edwards steps on the courtroom there’s a sturdy perception that he’s the most effective participant. The identical confidence and swagger he had within the playoff collection wins over the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets was on full show within the first half. Crew USA got here out of the gates disorganized, and it was Edwards’ power together with the second unit that erased an 11-1 begin by Canada. Crew USA has a minimum of 5 No. 1 choices on this roster, and whether or not Edwards is beginning or coming off the bench, he ought to be thought-about certainly one of them.

McMenamin: Lacking context. Earlier than Edwards made the declaration, he was requested in regards to the function change in being the Wolves’ go-to man after which possible coming off the bench for Crew USA. His level was that simply because he might need a substitute spot within the rotation, that does not imply it is going to include the mindset of demotion. As long as he’s on the ground — irrespective of the teammates, opponent or location — Edwards will play with supreme confidence.

Youngmisuk: Him expressing confidence in his abilities. Edwards could be probably the most athletic participant on Crew USA, and he’ll nearly actually present probably the most electrical highlights of the Olympics. He’ll get pictures up, however when video games get tight and Crew USA wants scoring, particularly exterior scoring, I nonetheless consider Curry can be Kerr’s go-to choice. The U.S. will want Curry’s exterior taking pictures in FIBA-style basketball, and Embiid’s potential to be a mismatch additionally could possibly be a main choice.

3. How will Kawhi Leonard’s absence influence Crew USA in Paris?

Bontemps: That is nothing towards Leonard, top-of-the-line two-way wings of his era, however I do not anticipate it being that large of a difficulty. That simply speaks to the wealth of expertise at coach Steve Kerr’s disposal. Crew USA now would not have Leonard — nevertheless it nonetheless has Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Jrue Vacation, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards to play on the wings. And it will probably play any of its three facilities — Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo — collectively. Plus, Derrick White is an elite perimeter defender and a very good off-ball offensive participant. Briefly? This group ought to be simply wonderful.

Marks: I used to be stunned Leonard was chosen contemplating the knee points he has incurred over his profession, together with a season-ending proper knee harm within the LA Clippers’ first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard is an MVP candidate when wholesome, however it’s laborious to see what influence he would have had, particularly if there have been a minutes restriction in place. The optimistic is that Grant Hill, managing director for Crew USA, rapidly discovered a substitute.

McMenamin: As we discovered by means of Kobe Bryant’s influence on the Redeem Crew, there’s energy in a famous person at that stage pouring all of his effort into being a defensive stopper and that being contagious all through the group. Leonard — one of many fiercest defenders the league has ever seen — may have crammed that function for this group had he been wholesome. So, sure, it is a loss. However the selection to interchange him with White was pitch good. White won’t have the stature of a two-time Finals MVP like Leonard, however based mostly on what we have seen from White in Boston, he’ll haven’t any drawback making protection his prime precedence.

Youngmisuk: When Leonard is wholesome, he is among the greatest two-way gamers on this planet. His potential to attain from the midrange over any defender, shoot the three after which be a lockdown defender with dimension would have been invaluable. The 2-time NBA Finals MVP was by no means going to be at his peak contemplating the irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee. White’s protection on smaller and fast guards and skill to modify will assist ease the lack of Leonard, whereas serving to Jrue Vacation, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards and Bam Adebayo because the group’s greatest defenders. There are going to be video games when Crew USA wants somebody who can cease penetration and funky down a scorching opponent whereas additionally hitting 3s, although.

4. What ought to be the beginning lineup for Crew USA?

Bontemps: 4 of the 5 spots in Wednesday’s opener ought to keep that method for the length: Stephen Curry, Jrue Vacation, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Curry, James and Embiid are the three locks to start out; Vacation, arguably the most effective perimeter defender on the planet, can then guard the opposition’s prime playmaker whereas being a incredible connector offensively. As for the fifth spot, my guess is it is Kevin Durant (presently damage with a calf harm) who ultimately will get the nod over Jayson Tatum (who arrived at camp late).

Marks: I’m not going to overreact and say Steve Kerr ought to shake up the lineup simply due to the sluggish begin towards Canada. I’m sticking with 4 of Wednesday’s beginning 5 (Vacation, Curry, James and Embiid) and changing Devin Booker with Anthony Edwards. If Crew USA does face France within the medal spherical, Kerr can counter Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert with Embiid and Anthony Davis.

McMenamin: Begin with James, Curry and Durant (as soon as he recovers from his calf pressure) for apparent causes. They’re the three greatest gamers of their era, and that is their first — and probably solely — time teaming up collectively within the Olympics. Then group them with the 2 most versatile defenders left on the roster: Vacation within the backcourt and Davis within the frontcourt. Vacation takes the opposing participant’s precept ball handler; Davis is tasked with patrolling the paint.

Youngmisuk: Vacation, Curry, Tatum, James and Embiid make a number of sense. Vacation can tackle the opposing group’s greatest offensive perimeter risk and assist with all of the little issues, comparable to offensive rebounding, as nicely. Curry’s exterior taking pictures can be essential for Crew USA’s success. Till Durant is ready to come again wholesome, Tatum ought to be the starter alongside James. And Embiid can anchor the inside with Davis splitting minutes with him at heart off the bench.