Team USA is currently participating in the pre-Olympic exhibition games, and the performance of their players, particularly Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid, has been a topic of discussion for basketball enthusiasts. Davis has been impressive so far, leading Team USA with 17 points and 14 rebounds in their win over Australia. His strong play has raised questions about whether he could potentially replace Embiid as the starting center for the Olympics.
Embiid, who missed a significant portion of last season due to knee surgery, has not looked his best during these exhibition games. Despite this, he remains confident in his abilities and is willing to play whatever role is asked of him by coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr himself has stated that the lineup for Team USA is still a work in progress and that he will continue experimenting with different combinations until the Olympics begin. The team wants to improve its dominance on the inside, and having a strong presence at the center position is crucial for their success.
Anthony Davis has been impressive as a reserve in both games, recording double-doubles in each and being better shaped and more athletic than Embiid. However, it's important to note that Davis's strong performance does not necessarily mean he will replace Embiid as the starting center. Kerr will likely consider various factors before making a decision.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, where the exhibition games are being held, has praised Davis as Team USA's best big man. However, it's important to remember that Al Mubarak is a Lakers fan and may be biased towards Davis.
Embiid played only 39 games in the past season due to his knee injury, which could impact his performance during the Olympics. It remains to be seen how he will fare as the tournament progresses.
The United States aims to continue its dominance in Olympic basketball and has a talented roster at its disposal. The decision on who starts at center for Team USA is an important one, and fans will be eagerly watching the exhibition games to see how Kerr handles this situation.