Entering the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Team USA’s men’s basketball team wasn’t expected to have much competition for the gold medal. But during the pre-game showcase, the Americans looked a little more vulnerable than many believed they would be, despite them winning each game.
More news: Suns’ Devin Booker Fires Back at Idea Winning Gold Medal is Harder Than NBA Title
With a stacked lineup of stars consisting of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, and others, Team USA was set to dominate. Once they got by the pre-game showcase into the real games, the Americans turned things up a notch.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Team USA won all three contests, clinching a spot in the quarterfinals. However, the play of star center Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers has come into question.
Embiid has been quite underwhelming with Team USA but his performances haven’t cost them wins due to the other starpower around him. He has only played in two of the games, getting a DNP in the contest against South Sudan.
In the first game for Team USA against Serbia, Embiid put up only four points, two rebounds, and one block over 11 minutes. He eventually was benched due to his play.
In the third game for the Americans against Puerto Rico, the 2023 MVP posted his best game yet. He put up 15 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to get himself back on track.
NBA analyst Charles Barkley has taken note of the poor play from Embiid and decided to address it. Barkley appeared on a recent episode of the Podcast P podcast with Paul George and ripped into Embiid’s play for Team USA.
“I think that’s one of the reasons he’s always injured. I don’t think he’s in good enough shape…You got to be a little bit embarrassed by the way you played.”
Embiid has dealt with injuries throughout his career and there have been questions about his physical playing shape. His play in the Olympics hasn’t helped things and has created more talking points for those around the game of basketball.
While Team USA hasn’t needed Embiid, his play has still been problematic. He joined the squad to give the Americans more size and scoring ability but so far, it hasn’t translated well.
There is still time for Embiid to make his mark on this squad, but another poor game could have him seeing the bench moving forward. With Team USA now in the knockout round, head coach Steve Kerr will likely only play those who he believes will help the team win each time out.
More news: Anthony Davis Treating Olympics Like ‘Game 7 of the Finals’
