The 2023 FIBA World Cup ended in dismay for Team USA. After Germany gutted the USA in a semi-final loss in a thrilling 113-111 nail-biter, Canada then deepened the blow by denying them even a podium finish. Following this heartbreak, Team USA is now hoping to reclaim the lost glory in the upcoming summer during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
To help them in their pursuit, the Milwaukee Bucks’ newest addition, Patrick Beverley, has some tactics up his sleeve. In the recent episode of The Pat Bev Pod with Rone, Beverly unravels how he can help boost Team USA’s morale during practice.
Patrick Beverley’s strategy for the Summer Olympics
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While Team USA at FIBA featured the youngest players in the league, the Olympic team will see some of the greatest NBA stars reunite with one goal in mind: redemption. Veterans, including LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, have shown their interest in committing this summer. But, of course, a team can only have so many players. However, Beverly proposes an unusual way he can impact the team – by being a trash talker.
According to him, they should get him on the team they will be practicing against so he can trash talk and fire them up, which will, in turn, boost their morale to perform and prove their worth. “Let me be on the team they practice against. Because I’mma have that practice f-cking turnt tf up! I’m picking motherf**kers up 94. I’m talking shit, I’m getting a bucked on you, ‘Oh he’s a bum, he shouldn’t be on the f-cking USA team. Pick me. That’s gonna boost the morale of the f-cking team.”
View this post on Instagram
According to the Bucks’ vet, if they want to make the practice sessions “ultra-competitive,” they should bring in the “underdogs” of the league to play against them. However, with the stars that have expressed their interest in suiting up for Team USA, it does not look like Beverley will need to resort to these unusual tactics to get them going.
Who’s going to play at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
During the All-Star Weekend’s media availability, King James confirmed his commitment to the Olympic team. The 2x Olympic gold medalist said, “I told myself before the season when I committed to being part of the Olympic team, obviously it was all predicated on my health. As it stands right now, I am healthy enough to be on the team and perform at a level that I know I can perform at.” Kevin Durant has also confidently admitted his interest in representing the USA on the international stage. “I will play in the Olympics next year,” said the 35-year-old.
.@KDTrey5: “I will play in the Olympics next year.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/q5M3veliVB
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 2, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid has also decided to suit up for Team USA. He said in a post, “It was not easy. I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home. After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA.”
I’m really proud and excited about this decision. It was not easy. I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home. After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve… pic.twitter.com/6VHSQTKVl3
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 5, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Other than KD, James had also reached out to Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, and Draymond Green to join him this summer. In addition to them, players such as Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox, and Kyrie Irving have also expressed a strong interest in representing Team USA at the upcoming Olympics, per league sources.