United States vs. South Sudan Basketball Preview

On Sunday, Team USA picked up a dominant win over Serbia. Now shifting to a matchup against South Sudan, which they narrowly defeated in exhibition play just a few weeks earlier. After playing three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Team USA plays South Sudan, which has two players that have played in the NBA - Wenyen Gabriel and JT Thor. Team USA are the favorites to take home the gold medal.

In the first Olympic game, Team USA started with a three-guard lineup - Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, and Devin Booker. Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton were the only players that did not play in the win over Serbia. Since Team USA has such a talented roster, look for Steve Kerr to rotate players in and out. There’s no need to wonder why Tatum or Haliburton did not play; Team USA is just a deep team. The older players - Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant - benefit from playing fewer minutes with a deep team. 

To put things into perspective, Team USA is composed of six to eight players who are number one options on their own NBA team. Team USA has plenty of different ways to play. Early against Serbia, they wanted to play through Joel Embiid. They have other options such as playing at a faster pace with Haliburton. Booker hit four three-pointers against Serbia, primarily in a catch-and-shoot role.

Team USA is off to a great start. If they keep up the intensity, they should cruise the next two games. Team USA just blew the brakes off a team that has the NBA’s three-time MVP. Plus, they did not even play the two best players on the teams that made this year’s Eastern Conference Finals.