The first part of the Paris 2024 Games ended announcing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics with a big bang from Tom Cruise as if we were in MI:9! We have heard a lot that it was at the end of the ball that the artists got paid, but what if the famous ball ended only in the United States, during the next edition?
Agent 0 makes its predictions
Gilbert Arenasknown on the field by his nickname Agent 0 and off for his sometimes questionable positions (see taunts directed at South Sudan) returned with strong words that some of his fans described as “smarter than he said.” In his podcast Gil’s Arenahe talks about the France 2028 team and in a good way. We are concerned about this in the comments of many US posts because Team USA 2028 is not guaranteed to have a Dream Team or a Redeem Team and even less Avengers!
Because yes, unlike the French team which was to be led by a Victor Wembanyama four years older, but above all four more years in the NBA.
Why might Team USA Basketball fear the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
It’s important to understand that Team USA is at the end of a cycle. LeBron James will be 43 years old, Chef Curry 39-40, Kevin Durant Also. LBJ has one Olympic gold medal more than MJ, Curry just missed that and KD passed Carmelo Anthony at Olympic level. The three key elements that led to this team will no longer be there, so on the fan side we are concerned. According to him, Embiid was supposed to play for Cameroon.
Of course there will be Devin Bookerwhich should be a little deeper in its prime, Anthony Edwards too (He announced that he will not return, but who knows what the future holds), but the 2028 team could look like the one that failed to win a medal during the World Cup in 2023, and that does not reassure.
However, this is not quite right! There is no shortage of talented players. The Zion phenomenon should not be ruled out! Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Trae Young are serious customers, e.g. But apart from Zion Williamsonnone of them exude that aura of unique talent.
But why France in particular?
In the order you can find here“Gil” talks about the rest of France’s team, especially by talking about draft picks 1 and 2 for this year 2024, namely Zachary Risacher And Alex Sarr they are followed by other talents such as Tidjane Salaun6th pick (Charlotte Hornets), Pacôme Dadiet25th pick (New York Knicks) and Melvin Ajinca51st pick (Dallas Mavericks).
And Gilbert has every reason to highlight the next generation that will emerge at the Olympics, as he says, little giants who can dribble, dunk and shoot and there’s no stopping them. Well, of course, if the plan goes without a hitch. Victor needs to stay healthy (really the least I could wish for him), the others need to stay in the NBA and develop (all I want for them too) and France would have a team capable of beating USA.
But the French team will not be the only threat, only the most important. It is clear that the world level is no longer that of the 90s. No disrespect to the Dream Team, but the opposition is no longer just Toni Kukoc. Luka should be even more in his prime, he will be 29 years old. On the other hand, Serbia should lose elements. Bogdanovic will celebrate his 37th birthday, while the Joker will be his 34th birthday. And the latter announced long ago that he would not last long in the NBA when asked if he saw himself having a career like King James.
A well stocked landscape and once again a late deal!
In the dangerous teams, we will have to count on Canada Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett And Dillon Brooks also like Germany’s Wagner brothers, even if it had to count on 34-year-old Dennis Schröder. But the other team mentioned by Gilbert Arenas is none other than South Sudan, who have impressed and whose future looks bright, provided the government’s finances come to lighten the purse strings of Luol Deng, who has supported this team to the point where they are brought to Paris , and spring a surprise by mauling Team USA during the warm-up matches (defeated by only one point after dominating 3/4 of the match).
But the surprising thing is that the USA is once again setting its sights on the Olympics, while the rest of the world is talking about the World Cup in 2027 in Qatar. Because yes, a good number of our American friends still haven’t understood the difference between competitions. They always take Noah Lyles left… no, unfortunately they are not finished. It is not for lack of repetition for them that the winner of Paris 28 is Olympic champion, but that Schröder’s Germany is still the title holder, despite the elimination in the semi-finals.
As a reminder, Team USA, led by Ant man, left the 2023 World Championships without a medal and had claimed not to have sent its heavy artillery. Mission accomplished for 2024, but let’s hope for their sakes they don’t take a nap when choosing the roster this time! And so, who knows? This might also be the inauguration of Bronny James eh!