On the way to its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, the U.S. men's basketball team began its exhibition schedule Wednesday night with an 86-72 victory over Canada in Las Vegas.
On the day that guard Derrick White replaced forward Kawhi Leonard on the 12-man roster, the U.S. team faced a talented Canadian team that is expected to win a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
After a slow start – including missing their first six shots – the Americans came out on top in the second quarter while the Canadians were sluggish on the court. Team USA outscored Canada 16-2 in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 41-33 lead.
Despite a run by Canada after halftime, the USA was able to extend its lead by the end of the third and fourth quarters. Four Americans scored in double figures, with Anthony Edwards leading the way with 13 points. Anthony Davis had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Barrett led Team Canada with 12 points.
Team USA will now turn its attention to Australia on Monday when the teams meet in an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi.
What were the most important lessons learned from the victory over Canada?
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Steph throws a lob to LeBron for an alley-oop for the USA
Steph Curry throws an alley-oop to LeBron James, who slams the ball into the goal.
1. The performance of the US national team against Canada was _____.
Tim Bontemps: Very encouraging. Team USA didn't play well at all – they had 17 turnovers and looked uncoordinated overall, especially on offense. And yet Team USA still pulled out a double-digit win over one of their two biggest challengers for the gold medal next month (the other being France). On top of that, Joel Embiid – still coming back from a knee injury sustained in the NBA playoffs – looked like someone who needs to get a lot of rust off. This game just underscores how clearly Team USA is favored over the rest of the field in Paris.
Bobby Marks: A good test. No offense to Cooper Flagg and the team he selected, but playing in front of a sold-out crowd against a Canadian team featuring Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks was a good test. While Team USA treated the game like All-Star Sunday, it felt like a preview of what was to come in France.
Dave McMenamin: A plan to follow when the games matter. As long as the U.S. defends and moves in transition, the fact that this squad had so little time to form before the Olympics shouldn't matter – they held Canada to 33.7% shooting and had 11 steals and 9 blocked shots. By creating so many running opportunities, shot distribution wasn't an issue – all 10 players who came in took at least four shots and no player attempted more than 10.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Better than expected. Canada is a formidable opponent with Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray. It was entirely expected and understandable that Team USA looked a little rusty after meeting a few days ago, but they showed a lot of potential – offense, defense, athleticism, size and versatility. What we didn't get to see, due to Canada's small size, was a test opponent for Team USA inside. And it will be interesting to see how the USA adjusts when the defense shuts down Stephen Curry's long-range shots and some of their stars get into foul trouble (like Embiid, who left late in the fourth quarter). But for their first outing, Team USA should be happy.
Bontemps: Something that no one on Team USA worried or took seriously. Edwards said he was happy to come off the bench during the same media session. He looked great on Wednesday as part of a second unit with Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum that felt like a real weapon if coach Steve Kerr sticks around. Edwards is already known for his bombastic comments, and this was just one of them. As Adebayo said on Sunday, “Everyone on this team is a No. 1 option.”
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Marks: It's not surprising. Whenever Edwards steps on the court, you have a firm belief that he's the best player. The same confidence and self-assurance he displayed in the playoff series against the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets was on full display in the first half. Team USA came out disorganized and it was Edwards' energy along with the second unit that overturned an 11-1 start by Canada. Team USA has at least five No. 1 options on this roster and whether Edwards starts or comes off the bench, he should be considered one of them.
McMenamin: Lack of context. Before Edwards made his statement, he was asked about the role change of becoming the Wolves' starter and then likely playing as a reserve for Team USA. His point was that just because he might have a spot in the rotation as a reserve doesn't mean he should fear a demotion. As long as he's on the field – no matter who the teammates, the opponent or the location – Edwards will play with supreme confidence.
Youngmisuk: He expresses confidence in his abilities. Edwards is perhaps the most athletic player on Team USA and will almost certainly provide the most exciting highlights of the Olympics. He will make shots, but when the going gets tight and Team USA needs points, especially from the outside, I still believe Curry will be Kerr's first choice. The USA will need Curry's outside shooting in FIBA basketball and Embiid's ability to be a threat could also be a key option.
3. What impact will Kawhi Leonard’s absence have on Team USA in Paris?
Good time: That's nothing against Leonard, one of the best wingers of his generation, but I don't think it will be that big of an issue. It just speaks to the wealth of talent at coach Steve Kerr's disposal. Team USA doesn't have Leonard now — but still has Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards playing on the wings. And they can have any of their three centers — Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo — play together. Plus, Derrick White is a top-notch perimeter defender and an excellent off-ball offensive player. In short? This team should be fine.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Co. want to lead the USA to its fifth gold medal in a row in Paris this summer.
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Markings: Frankly, I was surprised Leonard was selected considering the knee issues he has suffered throughout his career, including a season-ending right knee injury in the first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard is a candidate for MVP if healthy, but it's hard to say what kind of impact he would have had, especially if there was a minutes limit. On the plus side, Team USA Managing Director Grant Hill was quick to find a replacement on the roster.
McMenamin: As we learned from Kobe Bryant's impact on the Redeem Team, when a superstar at this level puts all of his effort into the role of a defensive back, there is a power that translates to the entire team. Leonard – one of the strongest defenders the league has ever seen – could have filled that role for this team had he been healthy. So, yes, it's a loss. But the decision to replace him with White was absolutely perfect. White may not have the prestige of a two-time Finals MVP like Leonard, but from what we saw of him in Boston, he will have no problem making defense his top priority.
Youngmisuk: When healthy, Leonard is one of the best two-way players in the world. His ability to score from mid-range over any defender, shoot threes, and then be a strong defender would have been invaluable. The two-time NBA Finals MVP would never reach his peak considering the inflammation in his surgically treated right knee he has been battling. Derrick White's defense with smaller and quick guards and his ability to switch will compensate for the loss of Leonard while also helping Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Edwards, and Bam Adebayo as the team's best defender. However, there will be games where they need someone who can stop penetration and cool down a hot opponent while also shooting threes.
4. What should the starting lineup for Team USA look like?
Good time: We saw four of the five positions that should remain in place for the duration in Wednesday's opener: Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Curry, James and Embiid are the three surefire starters; Holiday, arguably the best perimeter defender in the world, can then defend the opponent's best weapon while also being a fantastic offensive connector. As for the fifth position, I'm guessing Kevin Durant (currently dealing with a calf injury) will ultimately get the nod over Jayson Tatum (who arrived late in training camp).
Markings: I'm not going to overreact and say Steve Kerr should shake up the lineup just because of the slow start against Canada. I'm sticking with the same starting lineup (Holiday, Curry, James and Embiid) except replacing Devin Booker with Anthony Edwards. If Team USA does indeed face France in the medal round, Kerr can counter Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert with Embiid and Anthony Davis.
McMenamin: Let's start with LeBron, Curry and Durant (once he recovers from his calf strain) for obvious reasons. They are the three best players of their generation and this is their first – and probably only – time playing together in the Olympics. Then we group them with the two most versatile defenders left on the roster: Holiday in the backcourt and Davis in the frontcourt. Holiday takes on the primary ball-carrying role of opposing players; Davis is tasked with monitoring the zone.
Youngmisuk: Holiday, Curry, Tatum, James and Embiid make a lot of sense. Holiday can take on the opposing team's best offensive force and also help with all the little things like offensive rebounding. Curry's long-range shooting will be crucial to Team USA's success. Until Durant is healthy, Tatum should be the starter alongside James. And Embiid can secure the inside line, with Davis splitting minutes with him at center off the bench.
