With a championship glow and collective sense of invincibility, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Vacation and Derrick White discover themselves in Paris wanting to seize one other crown.
No, Jaylen Brown isn’t with them, however the Celtics nonetheless represent 25 p.c of the Workforce USA roster. That’s not a coincidence, both. Whereas Tatum is indisputably one of many nation’s 12 finest gamers, Vacation and White’s successful DNA helped earn them a nod.
The USA begins its quest for gold on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET towards Nikola Jokic and Serbia. Workforce USA is clearly the favourite and can possible prevail ultimately, but the exhibition video games confirmed it nearly actually gained’t be simple.
Overlook the Dream Workforce vs. 2024 group for a second. The world has nearly caught up, which makes evaluating them a foolish and fruitless endeavor. That doesn’t imply individuals gained’t strive, however the actuality is that it doesn’t imply a lot. It will possible be a aggressive and very well-played recreation, and whichever group performed higher on that day would win.
However regardless of the way you break it down, Workforce USA is stacked, and the flexibility the three Celtics deliver is a significant purpose why.
Right here’s a take a look at how Tatum, Vacation and White match into Workforce USA’s imaginative and prescient:
Jayson Tatum
For these anticipating Tatum to drop 25 to 30 an evening, take this as a warning: It’s possible you’ll not get your want.
LeBron James is clearly the alpha on the roster, and a beforehand injured Kevin Durant will possible re-emerge as his trusty sidekick. Stephen Curry can also be a transparent catalyst. Check out these three gamers. All three are 35 or older, which implies it’s attainable it could possibly be their final Olympics (although let’s be actual…James could play till he’s 45).
Tatum’s prime precedence will likely be successful, in fact, however he additionally has an opportunity to ascertain himself as the longer term face of the group. Anthony Edwards can also be within the combine for that unofficial title, and a powerful exhibiting right here might cement Tatum because the alpha of the group in years to return – and a possible flag bearer in 2028.
These clamoring for Tatum to be extra aggressive all through the playoffs will possible take pleasure in the best way he performs on the Olympics. He doesn’t need to do an excessive amount of and might let the sport come to him. Tatum will presumably have plenty of 12, 7 and 4 video games, or one thing alongside these traces.
With a star-studded roster, Tatum can trip the championship bliss into Paris, determine what every recreation wants and proceed to make others higher.
Jrue Vacation
Vacation is without doubt one of the most dependable gamers on the planet.
He’s primarily a basketball chameleon who can mix in based mostly on what the sport wants. Should you want him to attain 20, he’ll. Should you want 10 assists, he’ll do exactly that. Should you want him to focus totally on protection, that’s the place he dazzles essentially the most.
Vacation’s versatility units him aside, and that trait serves him properly in a setting like this. Whereas different gamers need to adapt their video games and take fewer pictures than they’re used to, Vacation’s function is actually an extension of how he performs with the Celtics.
Don’t be shocked if he emerges because the second or third-most efficient participant on the roster. Groups need to pay a lot consideration to James, Durant and Curry (as they need to) that Vacation is commonly the beneficiary. Sound acquainted?
Additionally, search for Vacation to be on the ground within the closing minutes of shut video games. If there’s a gold medal on the road, and Workforce USA wants a cease, he simply often is the one who secures it.
Derrick White
Derrick White’s an Olympian, of us. That’s fairly wonderful, contemplating his backstory and all the things it took for him to even get to the NBA.
White will possible see considerably fewer minutes than he’s used to however don’t count on his effectivity or productiveness to undergo in consequence. In Workforce USA’s near-stunner towards plucky South Sudan, White entered within the second half and adjusted the complexion of the sport.
He and Tyrese Haliburton are not directly competing for minutes, and in the mean time, it seems as if White has the slight edge. With Workforce USA, he’ll play a bit extra on the ball and function primarily as a facilitator and decision-maker within the pick-and-roll.
White and Anthony Davis have already developed some stellar chemistry, and he and Bam Adebayo ought to mesh as properly. He additionally has an opportunity to steal some minutes from Devin Booker, who gives scoring however not a lot else. There’s already loads of scoring to go round, so somebody who makes key hustle performs and serves as a glue could also be extra helpful.
It will likely be fascinating to see how Kerr makes use of White. Even when he performs 5 minutes within the first recreation, chances are high he’ll contribute at a excessive degree. Then possibly he’ll get to 10, then 15 and ultimately emerge as a driving power. White isn’t there simply to be there. He needs to play, and chances are high he’ll.
All three collectively
If Kerr’s good, he’ll play Tatum, Vacation and White on the similar time in spurts – possibly even alongside James and Davis.
Gamers who’ve built-in chemistry are inclined to excel in conditions like this. Tatum, Vacation and White simply reached the mountaintop, and there’s no purpose to assume they gained’t do it once more.
