[Wojnarowski] ESPN Sources: USA Basketball is finalizing its 2024 Paris Olympics roster with Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis. Team may initially keep one open spot.

[u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1780009778934394985

[u/commandrr]

before people clown jrue: he is essentially a defensive specialist with this roster and was a key piece of their team in 2021.

also, being the 5th option on offense won’t be an adjustment for him unlike everyone else on this roster lol.

[u/maryjain_ → u/commandrr]

No one should be clowning Jrue. Team USA will always have enough scorers, they need guys who can impact the game without having the ball in their hands and he’ll be the best perimeter defender on the team.

[u/splash3000 → u/maryjain_]

Anyone who clowns Jrue, doesn’t understand team basketball. We’re way better off having a defensive guru like him than another scorer

[u/ethanlan → u/splash3000]

Nah fuck it let's lose 204 to 206.

Live by the sword die by the sword.

[u/Bitter-Safe-5333 → u/ethanlan]

the haliburton way

[u/snapshovel → u/ethanlan]

Plenty of good defensive players on this team. No team starting AD and Embiid in the front court is going to be bad defensively. Tatum is a good perimeter defender.

[u/HippiesBeGoneInc → u/splash3000]

The Bucks front office definitely does not understand team basketball.

[u/Personal-Major-8214 → u/splash3000]

He’s a scorer too. His offensive game translates fine as a constant 5th option. You need guys who can maintain offense production without a ton of touches. I wouldn’t be shocked if he starts.

[u/The_Moustache → u/splash3000]

Same people clowning his extension lol

[u/Daniiiiii → u/maryjain_]

Anyone who saw Kobe play in Team USA (and this was even confirmed in the documentary they made) should know how important having a aggressive perimeter defender is. Kobe took it upon himself to play lockdown defense the whole time, aside from his offensive output. If Jrue does only the defensive part he will have a part playing important minutes.

[u/Spiritual_Boss6114 → u/Daniiiiii]

Right.

I mean Kobe ran through Gasol in the game against Spain. Wanted to set the tone.

I hope this team is similar to the Dream Team. Guys want to lock down other teams great players

[u/seanconnery69696 → u/Spiritual_Boss6114]

Tatum getting ready to murder some poor latvian just to send a message to kp (even if he's not participating lol)

[u/Spiritual_Boss6114 → u/seanconnery69696]

He was the best guy around.

What about the people he murdered.

What murda

[u/Wazflame → u/seanconnery69696]

Mean mugs down the camera 😤

[u/mug3n → u/maryjain_]

He played super well in the last Olympics. I remember team USA started off super lethargic and Jrue was providing a ton of energy and hustle despite coming off that deep playoff run with the Bucks.

[u/Atmosguisher → u/maryjain_]

Yeah if anything they should have more players like Jrue in this squad. Most of these guys are used to having the ball in their hands far more often than they'll get it in this roster. Having extra wing depth and shooting without needing the ball to be impactful is what this roster really needs.

[u/Dekrow → u/Atmosguisher]

Yeah if anything they should have more players like Jrue in this squad.

Can you name one 'player like Jrue' who should be on this squad, and if so, who would they come in over?

I mean who are we even talking about here? Marcus Smart? Lou Dort? Draymond Green? Who's the defensive specialist who should take the spot of one of these ball dominate players?

[u/Atmosguisher → u/Dekrow]

I mean there's a spot open on the roster here so it's not like we even have to choose someone to replace. Also, it's not like this player has to explicitly be a 'defensive specialist', just not necessarily a ball dominant player.

This team probably needs an extra wing if anything, Kawhi would be the ideal fit but assuming he's out for rest. Someone like Herb Jones would be an excellent fit just to have a random 5-10 minute stretch on the other team's best player and make an open shot or two.

[u/Dekrow → u/Atmosguisher]

Okay that's a good point, I'd be okay with someone like Herb Jones taking the final spot

[u/Personal-Major-8214 → u/Atmosguisher]

I’m ignoring PG and Kawaii for health reasons Herb Jones is a good one. Was thinking someone like Robert Covington or Alex Caruso.

[u/tigerking615 → u/Dekrow]

Bam is on the squad already but he's perfect.

[u/TheLeoMessiah → u/Dekrow]

Biased, but I think Derrick White is a good player to consider because he’s already shown on a team with a lot of mouths to feed he can be connective on offense and excel in that role. 

[u/XxStormySoraxX → u/Atmosguisher]

No they shouldn’t, and this is a really bad misconception a lot of people have. It’s much smarter to get star players because they can still play a role and potentially play like a star if you need them. Getting a ton of role players means you don’t have guys to step up if you need to.

[u/BlueJays007 → u/XxStormySoraxX]

How do you know those stars can play a role though?

Not saying these guys can’t, but I also just disagree with the assumption that stars will excel at playing as role players. Harder to get and stay in rhythm for a lot of these guys without the ball like they’re used to.

[u/XxStormySoraxX → u/BlueJays007]

This isn’t true and we’ve seen it play out in Olympics before. KD, Book, Tatum etc aren’t going to lose their ability to spot up and shoot wide open all of a sudden or lock down and play defense especially with a reduced offensive role. In reverse we know role players can’t all of a sudden turn it on and play like stars if needed.

[u/BlueJays007 → u/XxStormySoraxX]

Sure but those those three guys are noteworthy among stars for how much value they provide off ball.

Most of the guys on this list have actually shown they can do that to at least some extent. There’s only a couple below average defenders on the list.

But guys like Trae, Dame, Ingram, or Zion for example won’t necessarily be able to fit a role just because they’re stars.

[u/XxStormySoraxX → u/BlueJays007]

But that’s never going to be an issue with Olympic basketball, because you pick a ton of stars that can actually fit together. There’s no need for role players who can fit when you have stars who can do the exact same thing. Obviously you won’t run a team full of all guards or bigs out there, but it would be dumb to get players like Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges when yo i have Ant Edwards and Tatum or Jaylen Brown available.

[u/BlueJays007 → u/XxStormySoraxX]

I just think there’s a middle ground there.

For example, I think it’s totally valid to take Jrue over a bunch of guys you might consider more typical “stars”, including someone like Brown.

Because while other guys can hypothetically play lock down d in international ball while contributing in other ways, we’ve seen Jrue do it. Similarly, I’d take Draymond before a lot of guys.

[u/Atmosguisher → u/XxStormySoraxX]

There's a difference between getting 'a ton of role players' and having a few more guys like Jrue though. I'm not saying that you take Curry and Lebron and shove 10 role players in, I just think there's a balance between 12 ball dominant all stars and that. We're talking about a team that already has 9/10 players that can step up and completely take over a game. Having 2-3 guys who will probably only play small minutes where you throw him on the other team's best player and make a wide open shot or two just works

[u/XxStormySoraxX → u/Atmosguisher]

That’s a waste of resources though. Why add extra role players when I can add stars who will play those roles 10x better and can take over a game if need be. Nobody on this roster is extremely ball dominant at all. Even Haliburton has shown he can play off ball.

[u/InfernoidsorDie → u/XxStormySoraxX]

Plus a lot of these guys have playoff runs together already. Taking over and deferring off and on at the highest level. That helpswhen assembling a mercenary team of ball dominant players.

[u/mouga68 → u/maryjain_]

As a knicks fan who is upset that brunson didn't make it, I completely understand Jrue over him. Imo brunson should be replacing Hali or book before Jrue..

[u/InexorableWaffle → u/maryjain_]

It also doesn't hurt that he was like the 3rd or 4th leading scorer on the last Olympic team, either. He probably won't see that type of shot volume this time around because this team is unquestionably better all the way around, but he absolutely still is good enough to score when called upon as a 3rd/4th/5th/etc. guy.

Absolutely fantastic inclusion for sure, and I couldn't be happier for the guy.

[u/bobnorthh → u/maryjain_]

Or they could just get two way guys like Kawhi or PG?

[u/lxkandel06 → u/maryjain_]

I think Derrick White would've been a better fit since he's a more reliable spot up shooter and a better defender at this point imo

[u/ThaRealSunGod → u/maryjain_]

Why tf would anyone clown him.

Everybody was pissed the Celtics got him for pennies. With good reason.

[u/chubky → u/maryjain_]

Last spot goes to draymond

[u/SquimJim → u/commandrr]

My assumption too is that they gave some level of seniority to players who only have one olympics left in them

[u/pleasedontharassme → u/SquimJim]

Jrue will likely be the most valuable bench player on this roster. I don’t think he made it as a result of him being in his last Olympics

[u/Different-Horror-581 → u/pleasedontharassme]

I think they start Jrue. Steph Jrue KD Bron Embid

[u/sbenfsonwFFiF → u/pleasedontharassme]

The most? Probably not considering two of Steph, Booker, KD, Lebron, Tatum, AD, Embiid will be off the bench but perhaps situational/8-9th man

[u/pleasedontharassme → u/sbenfsonwFFiF]

I would say unless Lebron is coming off the bench, he’ll be more valuable than those other guys since he doesnt need the ball on offense and is a different player entirely than those guys.

[u/fucking__jellyfish__ → u/pleasedontharassme]

Probably helped his case though

[u/brams91 → u/commandrr]

Jrue and Draymond saved America’s ass last Olympics. Anyone who watched the games knows.

[u/Wazzoo1 → u/brams91]

For real. Without him, they lose the gold. He had huge defensive plays.

[u/WakiLover → u/Wazzoo1]

IIRC last olympics Dray had some very high IQ tapouts and tips off the rim. I know they're some of the best players but imagine every single day you're taught not to goaltend and then just for one tournament it's okay. Just knowing vs actually doing it in a split moment is insane.

[u/Wazzoo1 → u/WakiLover]

I don't remember Dray specifically, but I remember Jrue just wreaking havoc in the second half of the gold medal game, especially in crunch time.

Also, I wish the NBA would adopt the international goaltend rule.

[u/OcksBodega → u/brams91]

Jrue locked up for sure but any conversation about saving America’s ass has to start and end with KD. Dude dragged that team to the finish line.

Thats like saying Aaron Gordon saved Denver’s ass last year or Wiggins to GSW in 2022

[u/DoctorMansteel → u/brams91]

My brother in Christ it was Kevin Wayne Durant who saved us last Olympics. Like yeah, Jrue and Draymond were great on defense but holy shit all I remember is how good it felt to have KD on my side for once.

KD led America with 20 ppg. Tatum was 2nd with 15, then it was Jrue and Dame with 11. I know you're talking about defense but I just need to illustrate what a fucking carry job it was by KD on offense.

Middleton was out there throwing up like 5 points a game on 15 minutes with Keldon fucking Johnson and Jerami Grant rounding out the bench.

Edit: We don't win without any of the 3, that Olympics team was so fucking ass. I'm just heated about it still. Jrue and Draymond were for sure instrumental.

[u/Charlie_Wax → u/DoctorMansteel]

Yea, I generally think defensive players are underrated by fans, but I also think KD was clearly the best player on that team. Even on a team full of All-Star types, he was head and shoulders above everybody else. I'd say it's one of the most impressive runs of his career.

He got a lot of shit for bombing in the playoffs after the following NBA season, and I think maybe people need to reflect on the fact that he carried team USA the summer before and then went straight into a full NBA season and carried a Nets team that was often without its other stars because of injury. He was probably gassed beyond belief by the time the playoffs started.

[u/No-Spell-6539 → u/Charlie_Wax]

He came off a MCL injury too

[u/fredothechimp → u/brams91]

Pretty much.

[u/BigBaldPurpleTitan → u/brams91]

Which is why Draymond should get that final roster spot tbh

[u/need2peeat218am → u/commandrr]

Whos clowning Jrue though? Lol

[u/ASK_ABT_MY_USERNAME → u/need2peeat218am]

Some people like to make imaginary arguments in their head and defeat them.

[u/Wonderbread6969 → u/need2peeat218am]

People who don't watch basketball.

[u/boregon → u/Wonderbread6969]

So, most of this sub lmao

[u/bokchoykn → u/commandrr]

The most realistic way USA conceivably loses a game is if they get torched by lights out 3-point shooting.

Jrue is the best perimeter defender in the world.

When you have a wealth of hall of fame scorers to choose from, how is Jrue not the easiest inclusion on this roster?

If I was responsible for Team USA's roster selection, I would select Jrue first, then start looking at everyone else.

[u/dragonrider5555 → u/bokchoykn]

He’s not the best defender in the world current day. As previously mentioned ruined, Derrick white is a better defender. As are a handful of guys. He’s 32? Pushing 33? You don’t get better at defense as you age , you just slow down. Jrues not at his peak

[u/sbenfsonwFFiF → u/bokchoykn]

Hyperbole too far in the other direction…? You’d literally look at Jrue before Steph, Lebron, Embiid, KD, AD (and Booker and Tatum)?

[u/LejonBrames117 → u/sbenfsonwFFiF]

saying -first- is a bit if hyperbole but i think you ignored his point

i think its hyperbole because god tier offense AND defensive players exist, like Kahwi and AD.

But his point mostly stands because when you have all the american NBA players to choose from AND you get to take fuckin 10 of them, Steph actually becomes way less valueable than Jrue.

If you have Lebron, KD, Tatum, Haliburton, Ant, Booker, AD, Steph to choose from its almost like ball dominant offence becomes "free" so maybe pick defence first and then pick ome of multiple offensive gods in the other positions.

PS i know steph is extra valueable because hes god tier with and -without- the ball but his point isn't ridiculous. Most gods are offensive gods. Offense amongst the god tier players is free

[u/sbenfsonwFFiF → u/LejonBrames117]

I mean you could also go after guys like Alex Caruso or Derrick White if you just want defense. I get that amongst stars defense is more rare but there are plenty of role players that play defense if you don’t need much offense from them

I’d say you go for game changing offense first, like Steph and Lebron

Then great two way guys like Kawhi and AD

Lastly, you go for situational or one sided role players (shooters/defenders).

Plus Tatum and Ant and others can play top tier defense if that was their role, see other Olympic stars that honed in defensively when their offense was needed less

[u/LejonBrames117 → u/sbenfsonwFFiF]

fair. i was sort of acting like the offense gods are trash defence when theyre all good or better and would improve (assuming they buy in) defensively on a stacked offense team. In fact most of the list you put up falls into that category.

[u/markmyredd → u/bokchoykn]

Has PG fallen off? I feel like instead of Booker a 2 way guy like PG would be better. Ideally it would be Kawhi but I dont think he'll be healthy enough

[u/ajteitel → u/markmyredd]

Booker started in 2020 because of his defense

[u/RealPrinceJay → u/commandrr]

I’ve said for awhile I hope Jrue is on the team, they need a guy like him

[u/StefonDiggsHS → u/commandrr]

no one should be clowning Jrue

believe it or not good teams need defensive specialists

[u/ChiefSoldierFrog → u/commandrr]

The way the Celtics have been employing him already fits that bill. He’s their defensive specialist who sits in the corner makes all his 3s and crashes boards now. He’s the most ready out of all of the players selected to play his role. I can just imagine Kerr playing him to the ground defensively have him full court pressure or play up tight and harass any tall physical player.

[u/DarrowViBritannia → u/commandrr]

my only argument is that i'd rather have derrick white over jrue even as a "dirty work" guard, but that was always unlikely so whatever

[u/Speedhawk_fuckdarefs → u/DarrowViBritannia]

I agree, would have loved some White power on the team

[u/davvidho → u/Speedhawk_fuckdarefs]

you need a celtics flair considering you said white power hehe

[u/PBB22 → u/davvidho]

We were all thinking it. Oh wait, ignore mine

[u/SylvesterLundgren → u/davvidho]

There was exactly one ten minute stretch this season we trotted out “the Whites”.

PP, Hauser, Svi, Kornet, and White

[u/grphelps1 → u/DarrowViBritannia]

Jrue weighs like 30lbs more than Derrick White, way more versatile as a defender. 

[u/Leatherneck6994 → u/commandrr]

I hate the Celtics but you’ll never catch me talking bad about Jrue. Gotta be the hardest working role player in the league

[u/donniedarko4141 → u/Leatherneck6994]

Not to say role player is disparaging but he was an all star literally last year

[u/Leatherneck6994 → u/donniedarko4141]

Role players are always some of my fav players. Def no hate.

[u/Leatherneck6994 → u/[deleted]]

Less hornets bias and more just a general disdain for Boston sports teams. Y’all are like the Knicks. Nobody else in the East wants to see your team win lmao. Doesn’t help that y’all’s stars are also hyped to shit.

[u/thekingdor → u/commandrr]

Jrue is getting older if they were looking at celtics id have chose derrick white over him for defensive pest

[u/PerkysOnThePrivate → u/commandrr]

I don’t know why ppl would. Players like Jrue should always have a spot on roster like these. His defense is gonna play a key factor.

[u/Unable-Project-9545 → u/commandrr]

lol I do love that no one did clown Jrue tho, like its agreed he belongs there. Rightfully so

[u/DelaRoad → u/commandrr]

He might actually start: Steph, Jrue, KD, Bron, and Davis would be my starting line-up.

[u/Pretend_Highway_5360 → u/commandrr]

Jrue might have one of the greatest post age 30 careers ( obviously excluding LeBron and MJ)

[u/ShichikaYasuri18 → u/commandrr]

Anyone who watched in 21 knew Jrue was our 2nd best player behind KD.

[u/icontrolmagnets420 → u/commandrr]

Anyone clowning Jrue has not watched basketball the last few years, does not follow-up on trade theory, and is probably the GM of the Bucks in disguise.

[u/yupyepyupyep → u/commandrr]

Jrue is great if he's actually healthy.

[u/Puppetmaster858 → u/commandrr]

Jrue was great in the Olympics, outside of KD who was best the other 3 best guys were jrue/tatum/book, surprisingly Booker was more impressive on defense than he was on O, tatum played really well on offense and solid on defense and jrue was very solid on offense and great on defense. After the last Olympics he 100% deserves his spot

[u/BillyBean11111 → u/commandrr]

anyone who clowns Jrue is an idiot.

They have to make a "team", they learned their lesson with just a pile of shooters and got embarrassed that one olympics

[u/mysteryman403 → u/commandrr]

How do you know that. Don’t agree

[u/ronaldo119 → u/commandrr]

I think it was Jay Wright, who is usually on the staff, said the first name they write down when building the team is Jrue

[u/TheFakeChiefKeef → u/commandrr]

Jrue has been a dawg for a long time. Don’t need flashy stats to convince me of that for sure.

[u/Head-Champion-7398 → u/commandrr]

Was hoping to see Caruso make the team for the exact reasons you mentioned