The final time Group USA stepped on the court docket in a significant match, it misplaced a 127-118 thriller towards Canada for the bronze medal on the FIBA World Cup. That loss compelled lots of the finest gamers on this planet, together with LeBron James and Stephen Curry, to go well with up for Group USA within the 2024 Olympics. Fittingly, their journey to gold started on Wednesday with an exhibition towards, you guessed it, Canada.

This time, the end result was totally different. Regardless of dealing with a Canadian staff at full power with Jamal Murray becoming a member of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander within the backcourt, Group USA prevailed in an 86-72 victory. It was a balanced American effort as nobody sporting pink, white and blue scored greater than 13 factors. In a recreation towards the opponent most count on to present Group USA its fiercest problem within the precise match in Paris, the star-studded American favorites managed the ultimate three quarters and wound up profitable comfortably. Listed here are the largest takeaways from Group USA’s double-digit win.

Anthony Edwards known as himself the No. 1 choice, and he could be proper

Final summer season, as Group USA ready to play within the World Cup, Steve Kerr advised Anthony Edwards that he deliberate to carry him off of the bench. This plan sat poorly with Edwards. “He mentioned Dwyane Wade got here off the bench when Kobe performed,” Edwards defined. “I used to be like, ‘All proper, we do not have a Kobe.’ ” By the point the match began, Edwards hadn’t simply earned a beginning position. He was the most effective participant on the staff.

The same story could be taking part in out right here as Group USA prepares for the Olympics. Edwards, once more, got here off of the bench within the Canada recreation. He has made it clear that he has loftier ambitions for himself even on this extra proficient roster. “I am nonetheless the No. 1 choice,” Edwards mentioned on Sunday. Certain sufficient, Edwards was Group USA’s main scorer towards Canada on Wednesday with 13 factors. Group USA trailed 11-1 within the early going with Devin Booker in at level guard. The power of the sport shifted irrevocably the second Kerr inserted Edwards. His scoring and protection helped Group USA rapidly regain management of the sport.

In actuality, there will not be a No. 1 choice on this staff. This is not the 2020 roster, which clearly belonged to Kevin Durant as a result of there have been no different gamers of his stature out there. This Group USA classic has 4 MVPs in James, Curry, Durant and Joel Embiid. If wholesome, they may all begin. That leaves one beginning slot. Booker spent most of final season because the presumed capturing guard inside that group. Jrue Vacation began subsequent to Booker on this recreation, and his role-player expertise would possibly make extra sense alongside these MVPs. However each time Kerr tries to show Edwards into a job participant, he winds up creating an much more harmful star. Even when Vacation makes extra sense stylistically within the beginning 5, Edwards would possibly simply be too proficient to disclaim.

Is Joel Embiid the fitting heart for this staff?

The recruitment of Embiid was, by some means, the highest-profile story regarding a roster spot in a match that features LeBron James’ first journey to the Olympics in over a decade. Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled mightily within the World Cup final summer season, main USA Basketball to aggressively pursue Embiid, a naturalized American citizen (groups are allowed one every), as a response to the notion that America not produces sufficient massive males. France additionally wished him badly, and when it missed out, it was so bitter that it leaked a letter Embiid allegedly wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron asking for citizenship so he may play for them.

For all of that hype, Embiid’s debut as Group USA’s beginning heart was considerably underwhelming. Embiid made two area objectives and one free throw in 12 minutes. He was one in all solely three People with a unfavorable point-differential, and he fouled out in solely the third quarter. In the meantime, Anthony Davis was stellar with 10 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and two steals. Group USA was +15 with Davis taking part in heart.

Drawing critical conclusions after one recreation in all probability is not honest. There will probably be matchups through which Embiid’s energy and measurement make him indispensable. There are international locations on this area that Embiid ought to rating towards at will, and extra importantly, he’s by far Group USA’s finest reply to Nikola Jokic, who has vexed each Davis and Bam Adebayo within the NBA playoffs these days. As Group USA shares a gaggle with Serbia, the Jokic matchup is paramount. Group USA would possibly must beat Jokic twice.

However there are additionally going to be matchups like this one through which Davis, who is far lighter on his toes, would possibly make extra sense. He can trouble Canada’s star guards greater than Embiid can, and when he has robust point-of-attack defenders in entrance of him, he is a extra fearsome rim-protector as nicely. Embiid in all probability will get the nod because the starter all through the match simply due to politics. Do not be shocked if Davis winds up closing extra video games than Embiid when matchups name for it.

Group USA received doing the little issues

On paper, that is essentially the most proficient American roster since no less than 2012. No person who was wholesome sufficient to play mentioned no to Kerr and Grant Hill as they constructed the staff. That clearly makes Group USA heavy favorites, but when there was a weak spot to be discovered right here, it was within the stature of the gamers concerned right here. Lots of the finest American gamers on this planet in the present day are elder statesmen. James, Curry and Durant are previous; Embiid isn’t any spring hen both. These are offense-first gamers who’re too essential to do the little issues constantly on their NBA groups. If Group USA loses on this match, the likeliest cause why can be match points. This group is likelier to beat itself than to get crushed by an opponent.

However these fears had been principally allayed on Wednesday. It seems, any NBA famous person might be able to defending and screening and passing at a excessive stage after they’re surrounded by equally gifted gamers and spending restricted time on the court docket. Group USA received this recreation with protection. Canada shot solely 33.8% from the ground towards the relentless American strain. Group USA assisted on 25 of its 37 area objectives. That is an help charge of 67.6%, which might have ranked second amongst all NBA groups final season.

This roster could also be filled with stars, however it is not filled with egos. Group USA has solely practiced for 4 days, however it’s already taking part in the fitting model of selfless basketball. With virtually three weeks left earlier than the Olympics start, Group USA nonetheless has loads of time to construct on Wednesday’s success and put together for its march in direction of gold in Paris.