USA vs WORLD

In FIBA world cup, Team USA played the worst since 2002 when team was 6th place.  There are many reasons they were not able to win the first place, but the biggest reason is mostly because team did not have star players.  Kemba Walker is the only player who was selected as All-NBA Team from the team USA.  There was no LeBron, KD, Harden, Kawhi, or PG13.  What if those star players from USA and other star players from outside of USA play against each other?  Which would win?

This list is from 2019-2020 season who are actively playing, so those who are injured and not playing are not in the list.

Team USA

PG: Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving

SG: James Harden, Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker

SF: LeBron James, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard

PF: Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin

C: Andre Drummond, Brook Lopez

Reserver: Russel Westbrook, Lou Williams, Joe Harris

Team USA’s strength is athleticism and impulsiveness.  All players in the list are on fire, there is no way to stop them.  There aren’t many pure shooters in the team, but all of them can hit 3p.  Lillard has same range as Curry, Kyrie, Booker, and Harris have won 3p contest.  Lopez is a great stretch 5 and blocker.  When Harden has the ball, defender needs to think about his step back 3p.  When team can hit 3p, LeBron and Davis can attack on the rim.  Many of them are great 2-way players too.  It seems like there is no way to beat this team.

But of course there is a weakness in this team.  When everyone is scorer and has been first option, it is hard for them to adjust for the team.  How can Lillard, Harden, and LeBron can share the ball?  And there aren’t many players who are good at catch and shoot.  Lopez and Booker are good with it, but others need to dribble for seconds before shoot the ball.  The problem is how they can be role players.

Team World

PG: Luka Doncic, Ricky Rubio, Ben Simmons

SG: Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield

SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joe Ingles

PF: Pascal Siakam, Nikola Jokic, Kristaps Porzingis

C: Joel Embiid, Karl Anthony Towns

Reserver: Rudy Gobert, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic

Team world has great big men.  The scariest thing about this team is that most of them are still getting better each year.  Siakam won the MIP, Giannis is getting better every year even after earning MVP.  And the strength of this team is that non of them are selfish unlike team USA.  Team Giannis did not keep the ball for long time during FIBA games even if he is the first option in Bucks.  And many of them are really good play-makers.  Luka is almost making triple double season as PG.  Giannis is the play-maker in Bucks instead of Bledsoe.  Jokic has been huge threat to other team.  This team can control game better than team USA.

Even though they are great players and team first players, there is a weakness.  The biggest weakness of this team is that Luka is the only clutch shooter in the team.  Giannis is reliable scorer, but if it is 3p behind, Giannis is not the choice.  Maybe Porzingis could be the one.  But not as good as players in team USA.

Team USA is a gorgeous team, but team world can be a great threat since they are better team players.  Every year, there are more international players and their level is getting higher and higher.  Right now there are 2 international players in top 3 MVP candidates.  It will be really fun to watch 2020 Olympic games.