He highlighted that whereas gamers like Anthony Edwards, who had a robust displaying within the 2024 Olympics, and Jayson Tatum are promising, the present crop of younger expertise might not match the extent of previous American superstars. McGrady talked about Paolo Banchero and Cooper Flagg as potential future stars, however he expressed doubts about whether or not they might attain the heights of LeBron, Curry, or Durant.
Tracy McGrady additionally identified that different nations are quickly enhancing. With these rising worldwide stars, Group USA may face its hardest competitors but in 2028.
The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are notably vital, because the stress can be immense for Group USA to carry out properly on house soil. A loss could be greater than only a disappointment—it could be a nationwide embarrassment. Jaylen Brown, who was absent from the 2024 squad, will possible must step up, together with others, to make sure that the workforce stays aggressive.
Whereas there’s nonetheless time for brand new stars to emerge, McGrady’s issues spotlight the uncertainty surrounding the way forward for American basketball on the world stage. The following 4 years can be essential in creating a workforce that may proceed the legacy of previous Olympic champions and keep away from the humiliation of shedding at house.
Anthony Edwards Has To Be That Man
Anthony Edwards has proven flashes of brilliance that recommend he might be the longer term chief of Group USA. Whereas Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are established stars and veterans, Edwards has the potential to be the point of interest shifting ahead. His explosive athleticism, scoring capability, and tenacity on each ends of the ground make him a novel expertise who might carry the mantle for the subsequent era.
The absence of Ja Morant from this yr’s roster, as a consequence of off-court points and accidents, has opened the door for Edwards to step into a bigger position. Whereas Morant’s eventual return can be welcomed, it’s Edwards who must take the cost proper now. To solidify his place because the chief of Group USA, Edwards might want to proceed creating his sport, particularly by happening deep playoff runs and acting at an MVP stage through the common season.
Edwards has already proven that he desires to be nice, and his starvation for achievement is clear. The 2024 Olympics gave him a style of what it’s prefer to compete on the worldwide stage, and now it’s as much as him to construct on that have.
If Edwards can elevate his sport and tackle the management position that Group USA wants, he might be the important thing to sustaining the nation’s dominance in worldwide basketball for years to come back. The way forward for Group USA may very properly relaxation on his shoulders, and he appears able to embrace that problem.
