Team USA 12-man roster that would be the best for Paris Olympics 2024 / News - Basketnews.com

Marcus Foster and Errick McCollum talked about their best picks for the Team USA to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Marcus Foster and Errick McCollum picked ideal Team USA rosters for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

Errick McCollum

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In our URBONUS podcast, the two experts on European basketball shared their views on the matter of selecting 12 men from the 41-man selection pool prepared by Team USA.

"It's thought to look at because when you look at it, you want to think, 'I'm just going to go with the big guns and bring our top guys, LeBron [James], Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard. You want to get all those guys," began Foster. "But I think when you look at it, you have to be a little strategic about it."

According to the Rytas Vilnius player, Team USA has to act with strategic considerations in mind when picking out their roster.

"I am going to look more at guys like Austin Reaves, Mikal Bridges, Cam[eron] Johnson... Guys like that, that are kind of like glue guys, they are a little bit younger, played more in college settings more recently because I think that's a big part, too," Foster explained about the similarities between the NCAA and the European game.

"In the NBA, the court is so big with the defensive three seconds and the shooters you have, so I kind of want to get a good mix," he noted before continuing. "Of course, I am going to go with LeBron, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid..."

"Those are going to be the main guys, but I think you have to be more strategic about it because these European teams are getting better, and they are catching up. They are getting confident," explained the American, recalling the recent successes of Lithuania and Germany against Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

"I think the job that Grant Hill has is going to be very tough, but I think they have to figure out a way to kind of scheme their way to win," he concluded.

Errick McCollum

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As for Errick McCollum, the Pinar Karsiyaka Izmir guard had a clearer idea for the formation of a possible roster to compete in the Paris Olympics.

"You don't want all superstars, right? But you can't say no to Kevin Durant, LeBron, Steph, like Joel Embiid. Like, these guys are just generational talents," stated McCollum, talking about the difficulty of cutting superstars from the roster.

"So I was thinking, outside of Joel Embiid, I want my bigs to be more roleplayers," he continued. "Like guys okay with doing the dirty work, getting rebounds, not complaining about getting the ball."

The guard also had a list prepared for a roster but stated that it was a "really tough" selection process.

"Of course, I'm taking Steph Curry, no way I'm not. I'm taking Jayson Tatum, no way I' not. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, we have those five," he began, having already picked out his starters.

"I think a sleeper that, I think, is perfect for FIBA basketball [is] Jimmy Butler. He doesn't care about shots, he's physical, he's going to guard, he'll go lock up guys. He can guard the Luka [Doncic]s of the world. He can give you that physicality and that sacrifice. He's a perfect candidate," praised McCollum.

The guard continued with other sleepers in the 41-man selection.

"And then Bam [Adebayo]. I think that's another guy who doesn't need touches; they come from that Miami Heat culture," he explained. "All they care about is winning. I think they can put their egos aside and do what's necessary for the team. And then you got to bring a guy like Mikal Bridges. Three and D guy, long, athletic, also another guy who doesn't care about touches."

As for the guard situation, McCollum admitted that he was having a more difficult time in making a decision.

"For the guard, it's going to be tough. I am trying to choose between Tyrese Haliburton or D'Aaron Fox. I think those are two guys who are really good," he began. "I think I'm leaning towards Tyrese, just the way he shoots it and the way he plays the pick-and-roll. But I am a big Fox guy, and I think that you know you can't go wrong with either one," he ultimately concluded.

McCollum had further surprising names that he wanted to include in his list, particularly due to the youth factor.

"And then you have to put in some youth, someone who's going to kind of light a fire under those vets, someone who's going to push them. Someone who [is] barking down at their back and gonna let them know 'I'm here, you old.' That's Anthony Edwards. I gotta bring him," McCollum said.

"He's someone who is going to bring the fire. He's going to wake up those guys; he is going to make them a little bit uncomfortable when they relax because he is going to push the envelope," the Karsiyaka guard noted. "

And then, if you continue to go down, I think Aaron Gordon is a great pick. He's someone who plays in that system. He's used to playing with [Nikola] Jokic; it's kind of a European-type style offense that Denver runs, and he's a guy who's going to give you the groundwork."

The American then provided a summary of his selections and made further surprising additions to his 12-man roster.

"My guards and my forwards, like small forwards and twos and ones. They're going to be very aggressive, obviously; they're the scorers. But my fours and fives, I want them to be the junkyard dog types," McCollum stated.

"And then a lot of people won't like this pick, but I don't care, I do, I am going Draymond Green. He's perfect for Europe. When my guards are getting trapped in their short roll, who better have than the best short roll in the game?" the guard praised Green.

"Someone who makes the right play, the right pass, someone who can have six or seven points and be the most important player in the court in the crucial moments, and who can provide that defensive intensity."

"Another sleeper is Mitchell Robinson. If you want some rim protection, [if] you want length, great shot blocker, alley-oop guy," McCollum finalized his roster, adding in a name that was not on Team USA's list.

Later on, Foster, McCollum, and our host, Donatas Urbonas, talked about Draymond Green's exclusion from the 41-man roster that was recently published by Team USA.

Watch the entire URBONUS podcast with Marcus Foster and Errick McCollum:

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