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

Forward of its quest for a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, Workforce USA’s males’s basketball group started its exhibition schedule Wednesday night time 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, Workforce USA hit the courtroom in opposition to a gifted Canada group projected to medal within the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Following a sluggish begin — together with lacking their first six pictures — the Individuals clicked within the second quarter because the Canadians went chilly from the sector. Workforce 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 top of the third quarter and the fourth. 4 Individuals 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 Workforce Canada with 12 factors.

Workforce USA will now flip its consideration to Australia on Monday when the groups meet in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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 dwelling.

1. Workforce USA’s efficiency in opposition to Canada was _____.

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

Bobby Marks: An excellent check. Nothing in opposition to Cooper Flagg and the choose group, however enjoying in entrance of a sellout crowd in opposition to a Canadian group that includes Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks was a great check. Workforce USA did deal with the sport like an All-Star Sunday, but it surely appeared like a preview of what must 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 working alternatives, shot distribution wasn’t a problem — all 10 gamers who obtained 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 will have completely been anticipated and comprehensible if Workforce USA got here out rusty after convening a couple of days earlier than, but it surely flashed loads of potential — offense, protection, measurement and flexibility. We did not get to see an opponent check Workforce USA inside due to Canada’s lack of measurement. And will probably be fascinating to see how the U.S. adjusts when defenses take Stephen Curry’s outdoors taking pictures away and a few of its stars fall into foul hassle (like Embiid fouling out late within the fourth quarter). However for the primary outing, Workforce USA must be happy.

Bontemps: One thing nobody with Workforce 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 regarded terrific Wednesday enjoying as a part of a second unit that includes Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum that appeared like it might 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 shocking. Anytime Edwards steps on the courtroom there’s a robust perception that he’s the very best participant. The identical confidence and swagger he had within the playoff sequence wins over the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets was on full show within the first half. Workforce 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. Workforce 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 must be thought-about one in every 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 doubtless coming off the bench for Workforce USA. His level was that simply because he might need a substitute spot within the rotation, that does not imply it should 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 expertise. Edwards is likely to be probably the most athletic participant on Workforce USA, and he’ll nearly definitely present probably the most electrical highlights of the Olympics. He’ll get pictures up, however when video games get tight and Workforce USA wants scoring, particularly outdoors scoring, I nonetheless imagine Curry shall be Kerr’s go-to choice. The U.S. will want Curry’s outdoors taking pictures in FIBA-style basketball, and Embiid’s capacity to be a mismatch additionally may very well be a main choice.

3. How will Kawhi Leonard’s absence impression Workforce USA in Paris?

Bontemps: That is nothing in opposition to Leonard, among the finest two-way wings of his era, however I do not anticipate it being that massive of a problem. That simply speaks to the wealth of expertise at coach Steve Kerr’s disposal. Workforce USA now does not have Leonard — but it surely nonetheless has Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Jrue Vacation, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards to play on the wings. And it could actually 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 must be simply wonderful.

Marks: I used to be shocked 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 onerous to see what impression he would have had, particularly if there have been a minutes restriction in place. The optimistic is that Grant Hill, managing director for Workforce USA, rapidly discovered a substitute.

McMenamin: As we realized by Kobe Bryant’s impression on the Redeem Workforce, there’s energy in a celebrity at that degree 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 — might have stuffed that function for this group had he been wholesome. So, sure, it is a loss. However the alternative to exchange him with White was pitch excellent. White may not 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 don’t have any drawback making protection his high precedence.

Youngmisuk: When Leonard is wholesome, he is likely one of the finest two-way gamers on this planet. His capacity to attain from the midrange over any defender, shoot the three after which be a lockdown defender with measurement 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 talent 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 finest defenders. There are going to be video games when Workforce USA wants somebody who can cease penetration and funky down a scorching opponent whereas additionally hitting 3s, although.

4. What must be the beginning lineup for Workforce USA?

Bontemps: 4 of the 5 spots in Wednesday’s opener ought to keep that approach for the period: Stephen Curry, Jrue Vacation, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Curry, James and Embiid are the three locks to start out; Vacation, arguably the very best perimeter defender on the planet, can then guard the opposition’s high playmaker whereas being a unbelievable connector offensively. As for the fifth spot, my guess is it is Kevin Durant (at the moment harm 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 in opposition to Canada. I’m sticking with 4 of Wednesday’s beginning 5 (Vacation, Curry, James and Embiid) and changing Devin Booker with Anthony Edwards. If Workforce 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 finest gamers of their era, and that is their first — and more than likely 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 lots of sense. Vacation can tackle the opposing group’s finest offensive perimeter risk and assist with all of the little issues, corresponding to offensive rebounding, as nicely. Curry’s outdoors taking pictures shall be essential for Workforce USA’s success. Till Durant is ready to come again wholesome, Tatum must be the starter alongside James. And Embiid can anchor the inside with Davis splitting minutes with him at middle off the bench.