Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. GETTY IMAGES

European teams continue to get closer to the level of the United States. Spain's performances in the Olympic finals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 seemed to be a mere blip for the otherwise untouchable USA. The Spanish team had managed to assemble a number of players that made them special, and they fought hard and almost beat the USA. In Paris, the Americans have struggled again.

The USA's road to gold has been very complicated. Serbia played very well in the semi-finals. France made it very difficult in the final. However, this is one of the best teams the USA has ever brought to the Olympic Games..

Barcelona 1992 was the first time the USA had professional players at the Games. However, since then, the quality of the Americans has not always been great. The 2008 and 2012 teams were very good, but they struggled against Spain both times. The 2024 team is also pretty good.



The next Games are in the United States. Basketball is a gold medal they can't let slip away. It's not like the World Basketball Championships. Those championships are not always taken very seriously by the USA. They missed out on a medal at the one they played in Indianapolis in 2002. This did not bother them too much, and this attitude led to them only winning a bronze in Athens 2004.

In 2028, LeBron James, 39 years old, will probably no longer be there, although with the Los Angeles Lakers player you never know. It is quite likely that Stephen Curry, who is 36, will not make it. There are more doubts about Kevin Durant, who has been to the last four Olympic Games, but will be 39 in LA28.



These are the three most recognisable players on the Paris team. The three who played the most in the final against France. Perhaps the three best American players of this century. If none of them are leading the USA in 2028, a plan will be needed. You can't make the team by assembling a collection of 12 stars. A plan will have to be thoroughly prepared to find the best possible team. This was what they did in Paris, hence the inclusion of players who are important on defence such as Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo and Derrick White.



With the great 2024 team, they almost missed out on the gold medal. In Tokyo 2020, with a slightly worse and more inexperienced squad, they lost one game against France, the first in the group stage, but it was of no consequence. But they also suffered against the French in the Paris 2024 final. The USA must begin to understand that they need to go with their best to win gold.

The ever-shrinking gap is also noticeable in the NBA. For the last six seasons, the MVP has been a non-US player. One of those players is Joel Embiid, who has finally decided to play for the USA. After what happened in Paris 2024, with the controversies surrounding him, it is not very clear that it will happen again. In LA28 he will be 34 years old, still showing his best version.

Jayson Tatum could be one of the main faces of that future selection. His irregular participation in Paris 2024, with games he has played and others he has not, such as the semi-final against Serbia, may have left him with a bad feeling. In four years he will be a mature player, 30, who could lead the group. Haliburton has gone through something similar to Tatum. At 28 years old in LA28, he could be the best point guard in the NBA, if you look at the start of last season.

Jayson Tatum, gold medallist but a few minutes on the pitch. GETTY IMAGES
Jayson Tatum, gold medallist but a few minutes on the pitch. GETTY IMAGES

Devin Booker hasn't played a big role in this team, nor is he at his best in the NBA, but he has already shown valuable offensive ability. Derrick White will continue to be a basic complement to play alongside the big stars, and the same can be said for Adebayo. Holiday and Anthony Davis are unlikely to make it to the next Games because of their age.

The one who could be a future superstar for the USA is Anthony Edwards. He is learning to be a leader in Minnesota Timberwolves, and that learning may be required to lead the team that cannot fail in Los Angeles.



Other interesting players who have not been to Paris include Ja Morant, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Zion Williamson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Scottie Barnes and Donovan Mitchell. Players who can look forward to the Games as hosts. USA Basketball will have to make the best possible choice.