As the haunting memories from the Tokyo Olympics group games take over the NBA community, the fans are concerned about Team USA’s gold medal claim since France has only evolved since the last Olympic Finale. The Les Blues are not hostile to an upset as they did against Team USA in 2021.

However, this time, Dream Team 2.0 has assembled to face the host nation and the Parisian crowd to beat them on their home turf. Although the French team has a perfect matchup with them, Team USA coach Steve Kerr has cracked the code to secure the gold medal ambitions. The 58-year-old has finally resolved to bring one of the familiar faces to Les Blues as a starter in the Paris Olympics Finals.

As per The Athletic insider Shams Charania, “Team USA is planning to start all-time leading scorer Kevin Durant vs. France in Saturday’s Gold Medal game at the Paris Olympics.”

Remember how Kevin Durant was a nightmare for the Les Blues in the gold medal clash during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics? He scored 29 points in an 87-82 victory over France. What’s worth noting is that KD established his dominance in the first half, scoring 21 points against the French squad. However, it looks like Team France has rebounded from the loss that it sustained in the Tokyo Olympic Finals and the medal-scarce FIBA run last year.

On the flip side, Les Bleus had their challenges to face, making some bold last-minute moves by bringing in Isaïa Cordinier and Guerschon Yabusele to shake things up—leaving NBA DPOY Rudy Gobert on the bench!

These two young stars tore through Germany’s defense, proving that Team USA must hit the court with their absolute best. That’s why Jrue Holiday is reportedly expected to come off the bench in the Paris Olympics finale. Holiday, who has had an impressive campaign, showed his value on both ends of the floor, dropping 15 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in the group game against Serbia.

With Steve Kerr making a pivotal change to the Dream Team’s starting lineup, fans have embraced the coach’s all-out strategy, eager to see it play out on the court.

Fans left in awe of coach Steve Kerr’s offensive all-out for the gold clash against Les Blues

Since the genesis of the Olympic campaign this year, Steve Kerr’s matchups and starter selections are always questioned. First, it was Joel Embiid, then the first unit matchups, followed by Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton’s snub for the first pool game. But when the Hoopers got to know about Steve Kerr’s latest matchup, they could not be less happy! One such well-wisher for Team USA commented on Steve Kerr’s roster selection with his rejoicing comment, “Olympics is in trouble.” Since the French team has the home turf advantage along with the crowd support, they have the upper hand in that case. Yet the Team USA roster is threatening, with Kevin Durant being part of it. So it will definitely be a threat to the Paris Olympics host.

One of the X users took a sigh of relief after the Athletic insider’s update since Team USA has shifted onto the offensive gears in the starting roster. That’s why he commented, “NO MORE THREE GUARD LINEUPS.” In the last game against Serbia also, Team USA relied on this formula that included point guard Stephen Curry, guard Jrue Holiday, and Devin Booker in the starting lineup. But not for the finale showdown, as Steve Kerr is finally going with explosiveness against the Les Blues.

Another user on X suggested a starting lineup for Kerr since the debate about starters has erupted, with KD being the center of it. As per the user, “Curry Bron KD starting we won.” After having a slump throughout the pool games, Stephen Curry shut down all the critics with his 36-point play in the last game against Serbia. On top of that LeBron James has been an MVP player for Team USA so far with his performance during the clutch moments. Even in the semi-finals, he incorporated 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists along with Curry. King James proved himself worthy of that crown with his physical presence on both sides of the court.

No doubt the fans are elated with Steve Kerr’s latest rotation for the matchup against France. However, a basketball fanatic did not forget to remind Kerr of Embiid’s sluggish woes as he commented, “FINALLY! Start AD over Embiid so Team USA doesn’t start the game with poor rebounding and lackadaisical defense. They need AD’s defensive intensity to start. Plenty of offense with Curry, LeBron, Book, and KD.” Embiid has been a pivot of the controversies around Team USA in this Paris Olympics campaign. However, he put up 19 points in the last game, including his marvelous fadeaway jumper. So, the chances are that Embiid will definitely be on the starters to match the size and wingspan of Les Blues, even without Rudy Gobert for now.

What are your preferences for the starting lineup alongside Kevin Durant to pose a robust claim to the gold medal? Or if you were Steve Kerr, would you snub Embiid, considering his last performance? Let us know in the comments.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.