Hypothetical Matchup - USA v. International

[Donoghus]

This tweet is trending today.  Thoughts?

Quinn Cook
@QCook323
In a 7 game series who wins?
Steph, J Tatum, KD, Bron and AD vs.
Luka, Shai, Giannis, Jokic and Embiid.
I like team USA in 5 games no questions! Let’s get it spicyy 🌶️🌶️! Talk to me!!!

[Moranis]

I'm not sure those would be my rosters, but I actually like the international roster as they have arguably the 4 best players in the sport.  And unlike a decade ago, they have plenty of quality depth to fill out the full roster.

[Sophomore]

There really are a *lot* of good intl players. You could build a *really* good team, maybe 2. Trying to balance rosters a little (offense-defense, and ballhandling) you could play:

Luka-Bojan-Siakam-Giannis-Jokic.
Shai-Murray-Wiggins-Markkanen-Embiid

I might flip Wiggins and Bojan, but I think group 2 needs his defense.

And look who’s still not on the roster. Sabonas, Towns, Horford, F Wagner, Adams, Simmons. Other role players for the deep bench.

[jpotter33]

I'm not sure those would be my rosters, but I actually like the international roster as they have arguably the 4 best players in the sport.  And unlike a decade ago, they have plenty of quality depth to fill out the full roster.

Yeah, I think I’d make some changes if you’re actually going to put the best five man unit out for both teams instead of just the best five overall.

As constructed,  international roster is ill-fitting together, has questionable shooting, and would have significant problems guarding the American team. But they have a big interior advantage.

American team is a bit better constructed, but lacks interior size while having excellent perimeter size. And while 1-3 you have elite shooting, Lebron and AD are fairly meh to bad shooters, particularly from the three.

But I’d take the American team as constructed. They matchup much better than the international team and would kill them from the perimeter.

[Ed Monix]

International All-Stars


PG Doncic

SG Wiggins

SF Giannis

PF Jokic

C  Embiid


Bench: Murray, Gilgeous-Alexander, Simmons, Towns, Barrett, Markkanen, Ayton


—————————


Team U.S.A


PG Curry

SG Booker

SF Tatum

PF Durant

C  Adebayo


Bench: Morant, Davis, James, Allen, Williamson, Mitchell, Haliburton

[Jvalin]

International All-Stars


PG Doncic

SG Wiggins

SF Giannis

PF Jokic

C  Embiid


Bench: Murray, Gilgeous-Alexander, Simmons, Towns, Barrett, Markkanen, Ayton

I'd start Anunoby at SG and I'd bring Embiid off the bench. It's a major downgrade in terms of talent, but it creates a more balanced lineup with clearer roles for all 5 players.

No idea which team would have won. The international team has better top-end talent. The USA team has more depth. It would have been a hell of a game, that's for sure!

[Who]

I'd go with Markkanen over Embiid for lineup balance. I do not like Jokic and Embiid together particularly next to Giannis. Floor is too compact. No spacing. I go Jokic over Embiid because I trust Jokic more in knowing how to play / share the ball with other top players.

G: SGA
G: Doncic
F: Giannis
F: Markkanen
C: Jokic

[Who]

Does LeBron still make the starting five for USA?
Is there nobody better?

I see Devin Booker mentioned as an alternative. Maybe Donovan Mitchell also. Anyone else?

You know ... I wouldn't mind Jaylen Brown as the fifth man. Two way player. Can play on and off the ball. Can shoot it well. Can defend.

Lillard or Morant would make the team too small. Even more so for Trae Young. Zion Williamson could give the team a different dimension. A wrecking ball. Zach LaVine is worse than Jaylen or Devin Booker.

PG13 gives USA another 6-8 to 6-10 versatile forward who can shoot and defend. Imagine PG13 next to Durant and Tatum. That would be a nightmare.

[Who]

G: Steph
G: Devin Booker / Donovan Mitchell / Jaylen Brown
F: Tatum
F: Durant
C: Anthony Davis

or

G: Steph
F: Tatum
F: LeBron / Paul George / Zion Williamson
F: Durant
C: Anthony Davis


I like the size more than the speed / shooting. Need that size to matchup with the International boys. That is a big squad.

Is PG13, Tatum, Durant & AD too many one-on-one players? Not enough passers? Do they need LeBron?