Nevertheless, there are worries regarding performance of Joel Embiid, team USA must make an important choice about who will be in their starting line-up. By having top players such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Davis leading the team, they demonstrated their superiority in three exhibition games.
Embiid’s Struggles and Criticisms
Joel Embiid, who opted for Team USA instead of France, has faced challenges in getting into the groove. Over the past three games, his scoring averaged about 7 points per game while also committing 9 turnovers. Steve Kerr, coach of Team USA, suggested a potential substitute for Embiid’s disappointing showing.
Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports examined Embiid’s difficulties, emphasizing the distinctions in style between NBA and international basketball. Goodwill stated that Embiid heavily depends on referees, who tend to be more lenient in international matches. This dependence has impacted his performance, as demonstrated in a recent match against Serbia when Embiid tried to provoke a foul instead of shooting a clear shot. Goodwill highlighted that in international games, referees are more lenient with physical play, which doesn’t benefit Embiid’s intentional style of play.
Kerr’s Decision and Potential Changes
Steve Kerr is confronted with a major choice as Kevin Durant has not yet participated in a game. Durant, who leads Team USA in scoring, is expected to join the starting line-up, which would move Jayson Tatum to the bench. Kerr might have to substitute Embiid, specifically because Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo are performing well as reserves. Davis blocked 12 shots in three games, while Adebayo’s versatile skills have attracted notice.
Kerr accepted the challenge and mentioned, “In the upcoming games, I will keep trying different lineups… Joel’s improvement is noticeable each day.” Typically, large individuals require more time to find their rhythm and flow. I adore Joel, he’s a strong competitor. He suggested other potential team arrangements for the upcoming matches with the goal of discovering the most effective combinations.
What’s Next for Embiid?
Could Kerr replace Embiid with more dynamic players on the bench? As the Olympics near, Kerr’s choice will be essential for Team USA’s performance. The forthcoming matches will play a crucial role in determining the ultimate starting team.
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