The USABMNT had an answer for everything. The Dream Team first and then the Redeem Team that recovered from the 2004 Olympics as well as the 2006 FIBA World Championships to set the momentum for the years forth. Despite their success, the team wasn’t flawless, a member of the 2008 roster, Dwyane Wade, asserts. The missing piece, interestingly, is found in the Olympic roster today. 

The Flash says that the current roster has more depth than other teams, including his own legendary Team, which featured Kobe Bryant and LeBron James alongside him. 

“This team (2024 roster) is so deep, in six games we’re not going to get an opportunity to see how dope this team really is. But I know basketball. And I know with my own eyes I have not seen a team like this. My ‘08 team was very good, but I don’t know if we was as deep as this team,” the Miami Heat legend Wade said in his interview with NBC News. 

With the star-studded roster of 12, head coach Steve Kerr has tried out a different line-up for each, and each time they held out. The wins by a double-digit margin against both Serbia and South Sudan, only built on the status. Kerr has even stated to change the line-up every game depending on the opponents.

While Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, often make up the core, no major dent can be witnessed in substitution. Jrue Holiday’s defense, Devin Bookers’ shooting, Derrick White’s versatility, Anthony Davis at the center, or Joel Emiid on both ends of the floor, the 2024 roster is wrapped just fine. Steve Kerr even believes it to be on the lines with the Dream Team, if not better. 

Is the 2024 roster better than the ultimate Dream Team?

The current roster certainly has an edge over the Dream Team. The power trio who won against South Sudan is a shining example of that. The comparison between Magic Johnson from the Dream Team and Stephen Curry made quite a noise last year. However, despite being 36, Curry still plays like he is in his prime. And that is certainly a plus.

The 2024 Team USA has more NBA champions than the 1992 roster. The Dream Team had four NBA champs, Johnson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Larry Bird. In the present, there’s Curry and James, who each boast 4 NBA titles. Other NBA champions include Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White also recently tasted victory, winning the NBA title in the 2023-24 season.

The young players on the roster are also well-prepared. Both Haliburton and Edwards have experience playing in the FIBA World Cup. It’s undeniable that the brilliance of the roster has been somewhat overshadowed by controversies. Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, even during the first matchup, Jayson Tatum being benched disappointed fans, with Coach Steve Kerr admitting his mistake later.

The team will complete their group stage with their last game against Puerto Rico on Saturday, having already made it to the quarterfinals.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.