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LeBron as Iron Man? Potential Team USA as The Avengers + WNBA playoff preview – The Athletic
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Aaron Rodgers might need Kevin Durant on his next darkness retreat.
Let’s tip off today with word from Shams.
LeBron, Steph headline 2024 talent wave
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On Monday, alongside Joe Vardon, we reported LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has a strong interest in one more Olympics and is ready to commit for next summer. He has also called multiple stars to recruit them for Team USA in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic.
James has spoken to Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, who are all prepared to commit. Separately, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox and Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources say.
This recruitment effort started well before the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where Team USA didn’t medal after being led by Anthony Edwards and Mikal Bridges. James’ effort was not related to whether this summer’s team won or lost. While the American national team has struggled at the last two World Cups, the program has won four consecutive golds at the Olympics.
James, who has not played for Team USA since the 2012 Games in London and will turn 39 in December, and Durant, a three-time Olympian and gold medalist who will be 35 by next summer, are viewing the Paris games as a “last dance” with USA Basketball, sources said.
Take it away, Marcus!
How can these superstars fare in Paris?
Is James USA basketball’s Captain America? Or is he more like Iron Man because he’s got the most money and fortifies his body with science? Let’s go with James as Iron Man and Curry being Captain America — the powerful golden boy who used to be scrawny. Durant as Thor (otherworldly skill, funny and introspective) with Draymond as Hulk (you can understand why) are other easy calls.
As Shams mentioned, James is effectively organizing the basketball version of the Avengers, and Team USA couldn’t ask for a stronger, more cohesive top six for its 2024 roster with Davis and Tatum rounding out superstar commitments. But who else should get the call to defend the honor of American basketball?
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Much like the Avengers, there are plenty of heroes to call on, but chemistry matters, too. Let’s examine how 2024’s potential Team USA roster could mesh together and what each player can provide to reassert the country’s hoops supremacy:
Starters
Reserves
The Athletic NBA Show’s Andrew Schlecht and Dave DuFour picked a roster for 2024 in The Ultimate Team USA Draft episode.
Also, check out my extended thoughts on revamping Team USA’s men’s roster.
NBA eyes restrictions on resting stars
Any player who recently earned All-Star or All-NBA honors is now under the watchful eye of the NBA’s new rest policy. According to an ESPN report, enforcement is based on investigations by the league and will include independent medical reviews. Fines could escalate from $100,000 to $250,000 to $$1 million Here’s an outline of the league’s crackdown:
Given those rules, the NBA will keep a special eye on teams like the Clippers (Kawhi Leonard, Paul George) and the Warriors (have several qualified “stars” in their 30s, although Klay Thompson, by virtue of his two-year injury hiatus, won’t qualify).
The proposed rules will be subject to a vote this week by the board of governors.
Postseason talk with Sabreena Merchant
Marcus: Las Vegas is the top seed and defending champ, but New York has been the hottest team over the last 20 games. Both teams split the season series. So, Sabreena, who’d you say are the favorites to win it all?
Sabreena: The gap is negligible by now. Las Vegas has the WNBA’s overall best offensive and defensive rating, but New York lhas ledin both since the start of August. A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart (voted future of the league by the players) essentially cancel each other out, as do the All-Star perimeter trios. The Liberty should have an advantage with Jonquel Jones over Kiah Stokes, but Las Vegas’ ball movement gives New York issues when going small with Alysha Clark.
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I’d give the slightest advantage to Las Vegas due to home court.
Marcus: I’m leaning Aces, too — maybe because New York was the arch-enemy of my beloved Houston Comets back in the day. I’m wired to pick against the Liberty. Kelsey Plum is the X-Factor.
The odds favor a Liberty-Aces showdown. Are any teams likely to crash the party and upset one of them?
Sabreena: As New York head coach Sandy Brondello recently noted, Washington isn’t a typical No. 7 seed. Had the Mystics been healthy all year, they would have home-court advantage in the first round. Instead, they’re rounding into form later than expected but right on schedule. Washington’s 90-88 victory over New York on Sunday proves potential for an upset — by pressuring the paint on offense and aggressively defending the Liberty’s perimeter players.
Marcus: In 2021, Kahleah Copper became a star on Chicago’s title run. Who might do the same this postseason?
Sabreena: Satou Sabally and the Dallas Wings are favored to reach the second round. With a strong semifinal showing against the Aces, Sabally would continue her season-long coming-out party. I expect Brittney Sykes highlights for the Mystics.
Though Napheesa Collier is already a multi-time All-Star and Olympian, I still think the national audience doesn’t appreciate her dominance, but I don’t see the Lynx advancing far enough to change that perception.
Marcus: Surprised you didn’t mention one of the studs from Dawn Staley’s South Carolina program. You’re so right about Collier. She’s so good and almost criminally underrated.
Ok, Sabreena, a scenario for you: three seconds left, the ball swings to the top for a wide-open, feet-set, catch-and-shoot 3. Make it, advance. Miss it, go home. Who do you want to take the shot?
Sabreena: Sabrina Ionescu. But if it’s a pull-up 3? Give me Chelsea Gray. There’s no one better in clutch situations.
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Marcus: Yes, indeed. If the shot is being created, I want Chelsea. But on a spot up, are you sure you’re not taking Tyasha Harris or Jackie Young, the league leaders in 3-point percentage?
Sabreena: Actually, the shooter who would rcare me in these moments would be Rhyne Howard. Her release is so quick and so high. She can always get a good look off.
Marcus: Let’s end with your first-round (best-of-three) predictions. Who you got?
No. 1 Las Vegas vs. No. 8 Chicago
Sabreena: Aces (2-0) — Chicago’s defense has zero chance of stopping Las Vegas.
No. 2 New York vs. No. 7 Washington
Sabreena: Liberty (2-1) — I trust Stewart to get the job done for New York down the stretch, even in a close game.
No. 3 Connecticut vs. No. 6 Minnesota
Sabreena: Sun (2-0) — Minnesota turns the ball over often, and nobody turns takeaways into points better than Alyssa Thomas and Connecticut.
No. 4 Dallas vs. No. 5 Atlanta
Sabreena: Wings (2-0) — Dallas’ offense was seven points per 100 possessions better than Atlanta’s during the regular season. I just don’t see how the Dream contend with Dallas’ size.
(Top photo: Martin Rickett / Getty Images)
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