By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fully expecting boos from the French crowd in the 2024 Olympic Games, Joel Embiid became viral much earlier with a quote regarding the leading superstar of Serbia, Nikola Jokic.
“I do not care about Jokic,” he responded to a question about the threat posed by the Joker through the main challenger of Team USA for gold medals in Paris.
Instead of joining the hosts of the Olympic Games, he is getting ready to debut with Team USA after snubbing France as an option for his international career. The 30-year-old forward/center of the Philadelphia 76ers combined in a star-studded roster, recently launching a training camp in Las Vegas.
“It is all about focusing on ourselves and trying to make sure everybody is on the same page,” added Embiid, “When we get there, we do not know what we gotta focus on. But right now it is about getting better.”
The United States faces Serbia in Gameday 1 of Group C on July 28. With the top two advancing directly to the Quarterfinals and the two best-ranked third-placed national teams progressing as well, the opener will not be a crucial test for either side, barring upsets from Puerto Rico and South Sudan in the preliminary round. However, a rematch in the knockout stage would be a huge fixture.
“Number one option”
Anthony Edwards had a similar approach, talking about scary depth in the squad for head coach Steve Kerr.
“I am still the number one option,” he referred to representing the USA last summer and averaging 18.9 points per game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, “I just go out there and be myself, shoot my shots, play defense, and they gotta fit in to play around me. That is how I feel.”
Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Jayson Tatum are the remaining ten players heading to the Olympics.
Opening a series of exhibition games, the United States clash with Canada in Las Vegas on Wednesday.