In the latest episode of No Cap Room, Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Jake Fischer and senior NBA writer Dan Devine dive into the thrilling conclusion of Team USA’s journey at the 2024 Olympics, the Emirates NBA Cup, and how their preseason predictions panned out.
Team USA Wins Gold Over France
Team USA secured the gold medal in men’s basketball, led by a star-studded lineup featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry. Fischer and Devine reflect on Curry’s long-awaited international basketball moment, where he showcased his sharpshooting skills, scoring a combined 60 points in the final two games, including a clutch performance against France in the gold medal match. This victory added a significant chapter to Curry’s already illustrious career, cementing his legacy on the international stage.
Curry’s Olympic Moment
Steph Curry’s Olympic journey had been missing that defining moment until now. His barrage of three-pointers in the closing minutes against France not only secured the win but also solidified his place among the greatest to ever play the game. Devine highlights how this performance was a fitting capstone for Curry, whose career had been largely defined by his success in the NBA but not on the international stage—until now.
Jayson Tatum’s Role with Team USA
Despite the team’s success, not everyone was entirely happy with their role. Jayson Tatum, who has become a staple in the NBA as a star for the Boston Celtics, found himself struggling to get minutes under head coach Steve Kerr. Dan Devine breaks down why Tatum’s style of play didn’t mesh well with Kerr’s system, which emphasizes ball movement and off-ball action—areas where Tatum isn’t typically the focal point. Fischer adds that the frustration might fuel Tatum’s motivation for the next Olympic cycle, especially as the older stars like LeBron and Durant start to phase out.
Wembanyama’s Disappointment and Future Outlook
Victor Wembanyama, the young phenom from France, expressed his disappointment after losing to Team USA in the final. However, he made it clear that he’s learning from these experiences and that his opponents should be worried, both in the NBA and on the international stage. Jake Fischer is excited to see how Wembanyama will develop, especially playing alongside Chris Paul in San Antonio, but he also cautions against setting expectations too high for the duo’s offensive output in their first season together.
The Emirates NBA Cup: What’s Next?
The NBA’s In-Season Tournament has a new title sponsor and name—the Emirates NBA Cup—and its schedule has already been released. Instead of breaking down the matchups, Fischer and Devine share what they liked about the event last season and brainstorm ways it could be improved. The guys discuss potential tweaks that could make the tournament more engaging, such as format changes, incentives for players and teams, and even the possibility of international clubs participating in the future.
Revisiting Preseason Predictions
To wrap up the episode, Jake and Dan revisit the predictions they made back in October, using their own made-up over/unders. The duo looks back to see where they were spot on and where they missed the mark, providing some entertaining self-reflection on how the season unfolded compared to their expectations.
With the NBA offseason in full swing, No Cap Room offers a compelling look back at the biggest stories of the summer while keeping an eye on the future, both for Team USA and the NBA as a whole.
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