Going for Gold: The 5 Most Important Players in Team USA’s Olympic Quest

LeBron James

LeBron James is the elder statesman of Team USA, acknowledged by many as the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball. LeBron hasn't participated in the Olympics since he won his second gold medal with Team USA in 2012. There's no player on the team with more experience than LeBron and there's almost no scheme or situation he hasn't seen on a basketball court in his 21-year career. At 39 years old, LeBron is still one of the best players in the NBA and will be the primary playmaker and decision-maker for Team USA, running the offense and setting up the team's many weapons. The NBA's all-time leading scorer will also be one of the team's major weapons in late game situations as demonstrated by his game-winning layup over South Sudan in Team USA's 101-100 comeback on Saturday. Along with Stephen Curry, James is one of the co-captains of Team USA and will need to be the gold standard as he looks to claim a third gold medal tying him with Carmelo Anthony for second most all-time, only behind his current teammate Kevin Durant, who is chasing his fourth gold medal.

Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday will be the ultimate glue guy for Team USA. On a team surrounded by star power, Holiday will be the one that does the things that go unrecognized but lead to winning. Jrue is fresh off a championship with the Boston Celtics and is arguably the best guard defender on the team. He can also step up and guard bigger wings if he needs to.

Holiday doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective, which works with what Team USA is trying to do because they already have a team full of players who are used to having the ball in their hands. Jrue is an excellent off-ball cutter and a great three-point shooter who tends to come up big in late-game situations with critical stops, rebounds, or shots. Holiday has already won a gold medal in 2020 and will be chasing his second alongside his fellow Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.

Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards is one of the players who will benefit the most from being a part of Team USA. He brings a lot to the table for the team with his relentless attitude on and off the court. It's unsure if Edwards will be in the starting lineup when the Olympics start, but if he does come off the bench, he should be the team's sixth man and bring a huge boost of energy and effort when he's on the court. Edwards could pull Team USA out of any sluggish starts they may have and help build and maintain a lead when he checks into the game.

Edwards is one of the very elite guard defenders on Team USA and will be instrumental in shutting down opposing guards. You can pencil him in for a highlight every game during this Olympic run while showcasing his engaging personality in every interview. Edwards has been touted as one of the future faces of the league and expect him to use these Olympics to make his case even stronger as he chases his first gold medal.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is the best defender on Team USA, he can switch 1-through-5 and will be responsible for the backline of Team USA's defense alongside Bam Adebayo and Joel Embiid. Davis is currently coming off the bench but throughout the team's friendly competition tune-up games, he has looked like the best big man on the team. If he doesn't start, there's a very good chance Davis will be the one closing games out at the five. Davis is used to covering the defensive weaknesses of the Lakers. He can play even more aggressively on that side of the floor while playing alongside better defenders than he usually does.

The duo of Davis and Adebayo will be a nightmare for opposing offenses and will be critical if Team USA matches up with France and has to deal with their length in Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. If France and Team USA play each other, that matchup will feature the top four players in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season. Davis is also more than just a defensive player; he can crash the offensive glass, generate second shots for his team and get a bucket for himself if he needs to. His unique skillset will be a treat for Coach Steve Kerr to utilize as Davis chases his second gold medal in his first appearance since 2012, a few months before his rookie season in the NBA.

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry changed the way basketball has been played over the last decade. He is widely regarded as the greatest shooter ever, and his ability to stretch the floor will be critical for Team USA. Curry can shoot the ball consistently from long range better than anyone and with the Olympic three-point line being closer, he'll be even more of a threat than usual.

Team USA will be calling upon Curry for large stretches offensively and his threat to go off from three will generate many opportunities for his teammates and Curry is a more than willing passer. Steph also plays with the infectious joy that will spread to his teammates, and his fellow co-captain, LeBron James, is always looking for him. The two former rivals have developed a great friendship and are excited to share the court, which shows in their play. Steph will be one of the leaders and voices on this team and will be energized to play for Team USA, as this will be his first Olympic run.

LeBron James

LeBron James is the elder statesman of Team USA, acknowledged by many as the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball. LeBron hasn't participated in the Olympics since he won his second gold medal with Team USA in 2012. There's no player on the team with more experience than LeBron and there's almost no scheme or situation he hasn't seen on a basketball court in his 21-year career. At 39 years old, LeBron is still one of the best players in the NBA and will be the primary playmaker and decision-maker for Team USA, running the offense and setting up the team's many weapons. The NBA's all-time leading scorer will also be one of the team's major weapons in late game situations as demonstrated by his game-winning layup over South Sudan in Team USA's 101-100 comeback on Saturday. Along with Stephen Curry, James is one of the co-captains of Team USA and will need to be the gold standard as he looks to claim a third gold medal tying him with Carmelo Anthony for second most all-time, only behind his current teammate Kevin Durant, who is chasing his fourth gold medal.