Forecasting USA's FIBA World Cup roster
Apparently, playing basketball for the stars and bars doesn't hold the same luster in 2019 as it did in years past.
With the FIBA World Cup tipping off at the end of this month, NBA superstars like Anthony Davis, James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Bradley Beal have all taken a pass. That, combined with injuries to previous USA Basketball participants like Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, will ensure that a squad of mostly new faces will head to China.
Of the 16 players currently scheduled to head to camp in Las Vegas next week - and the 13-member select team set to scrimmage against them - only Kyle Lowry, Harrison Barnes, and Mason Plumlee have represented the United States in either an Olympics or World Cup.
Player | Position | NBA team |
---|---|---|
Bam Adebayo | C | Miami Heat |
Harrison Barnes | F | Sacramento Kings |
Jaylen Brown | G/F | Boston Celtics |
Kyle Kuzma | F | Los Angeles Lakers |
Brook Lopez | C | Milwaukee Bucks |
Kyle Lowry | PG | Toronto Raptors |
Khris Middleton | G/F | Milwaukee Bucks |
Donovan Mitchell | G | Utah Jazz |
Mason Plumlee | C | Denver Nuggets |
Julius Randle | F | New York Knicks |
Marcus Smart | G | Boston Celtics |
Jayson Tatum | F | Boston Celtics |
PJ Tucker | F | Houston Rockets |
Myles Turner | C | Indiana Pacers |
Kemba Walker | PG | Boston Celtics |
Thaddeus Young | F | Chicago Bulls |
While the noted absences have resulted in much hand-wringing about the current state of USA Basketball, the Americans will still be favored to win their third straight World Cup. The most competition they'll face in Group E in the first round will likely come from Turkey, which is set to feature NBA players Cedi Osman, Ersan Ilyasova, and Furkan Korkmaz. In the second round, the top two teams from Group E will play the top two from Group F, a pool consisting of Brazil, Greece, Montenegro, and New Zealand.
Picking the team
Unlike in years past, an NBA All-Star won't be slotted at every position for USA Basketball. But the camp roster features an impressive pair of point guards and depth in the frontcourt. It should be noted that this is Gregg Popovich's first major tournament since taking the reins of USA Basketball from Mike Krzyzewski following the 2016 Olympics.
Point guards: Kyle Lowry, Kemba Walker
These are the easiest picks because Lowry and Walker are the biggest names left. While Lowry underwent surgery this month on his non-shooting thumb, he reportedly remains committed to playing for Team USA. Barring the issue holding him back during the Vegas camp, you can pencil him in the lineup.
Wings: Jaylen Brown, Harrison Barnes, Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum
American wing depth was hurt by the abstentions of Harden, Beal, and JJ Redick. Enter Boston Celtics youngsters Brown and Tatum. Both are coming off a challenging NBA season, but both remain high-upside athletes.
Mitchell is a shoo-in at two-guard and can also play some point. Middleton could become Team USA's most indispensable player as a two-way stud. Barnes gives Popovich some frontcourt flexibility if he wants to slide him to the four and, like Lowry, comes into this summer as a USA Basketball veteran.
Bigs: Bam Adebayo, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, PJ Tucker, Myles Turner
The amount of big men on the camp roster is likely a function of the relative dearth of wings. Tucker's included as a big because that's what he's become in the NBA. The fact he played in Europe for five years also helps him on the international court, as well as providing Team USA with some grit.
All of the bigs - aside from Adebayo - can shoot, which is crucial in the international game. It's also important for a U.S. team lacking a spot-up marksman like Redick. While Marcus Smart could also provide workmanlike defense similar to Tucker from a backcourt spot, he's not reliable enough of a shooter.
It's anyone's guess how Popovich will utilize rotations - much will depend on matchups. Going big would have Barnes at small forward, but going small could get Mitchell and Middleton into the starting lineup together.
POS | Starter | Reserve 1 | Reserve 2 |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Kyle Lowry | Kemba Walker | |
2 | Donovan Mitchell | Jaylen Brown | |
3 | Khris Middleton | Jayson Tatum | |
4 | Harrison Barnes | PJ Tucker | Kyle Kuzma |
5 | Myles Turner | Brook Lopez | Bam Adebayo |
The U.S. tips off the FIBA World Cup in Shanghai on Sept. 1 against the Czech Republic.