Why Anthony Davis must start over Joel Embiid for Team USA
Team USA is set to play its second-to-last showcase game today against South Sudan. The team is expected to win by a wide margin, just as it has for most of its games. Anthony Davis has been a significant factor in securing those large wins to this point.
Despite herculean efforts, AD has yet to receive a spot in the starting lineup, contrary to what many, even outside of Lakers nation, have been clamoring for. Kerr has chosen to go with Joel Embiid through the first three showcase games.
Embiid joins Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, a combination of either Jrue Holiday or Anthony Edwards, and AD’s running mate, LeBron James.
Embiid, while a clear MVP candidate in the NBA, doesn’t have a feel for the international game yet. Certain moves to bait defenders into fouls simply aren’t working due to some of the international rules.
Despite his poor play through the team’s first three games, Kerr has decided to stick with him. He’s even gone as far as referencing him as a pillar of the starting five, along with Steph and LeBron.
They’re really starting this guy over AD 😭 pic.twitter.com/u9IVAg2XTQ
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 17, 2024
The Case for AD
Despite coming off the bench, Anthony Davis has averaged 11.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg, and four bpg in just three games, leading all bigs on Team USA. He’s looked like not only the best big man and defender on the team but possibly the best in the world. That begs the question, why is AD still not in the starting lineup?
Davis would get to play alongside his Los Angeles running mate LeBron James for one. The two have already had a few highlight plays that displayed their chemistry over the first three games.
AD would also provide a fantastic 1-2 defensive punch with Jrue Holiday out on the perimeter and Davis roaming the paint. It all makes too much sense.
There is one sole reason that AD may not be in the starting five. His play while sharing the court with Bam Adebayo has been sensational. Their combined defensive talent has formed a much more formidable frontcourt than most expected.
The defensive duo of Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo is incredible to watch.
They’re destroying Serbia around the rim, including Davis with four blocks already.
Steve Kerr should take a look at starting Davis and Adebayo. pic.twitter.com/XfQDMrhXhf
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 17, 2024
My response is, why not start them both? Kerr has two more games before the Olympics begin to drill down his final starting five. I see no reason why Kerr couldn’t put a lineup of Steph, Jrue, LeBron, Bam, and AD. That sounds like basketball jail to me, and I, for one, wouldn’t mind them giving it a shot.
