“Most of the NBA Are International Players”: Dwyane Wade Opens Up About LeBron James-Led Team USA Roster

The NBA is filled with talents across the globe who are dominating the league currently. Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Rudy Gobert, have put the league on notice to show what they are capable of. Soon, we will see these veterans battling one another in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and Team USA will be one of them. With the latest version of the ‘Dream Team’ announced, fans are wondering if this will be enough to bag the gold medal once again. But before that, let’s see what Dwyane Wade has to say about Team USA.

Wade joined comedian Kevin Hart for a segment of NBA Unplugged, where the latter questioned the Miami Heat legend about the new Team USA. Wade replied, “The world has caught up. Most of the NBA are international players. But at the same time, this is our game, it was originated by us. We gotta go and we gotta show them what’s up. So we got our straps, we got our Avengers, and we ready to go. So I love the fact that you know Steph, LeBron, and KD – the guys like that are committed.“

Wade is not ready to give up on LeBron James-led Team USA. The game has evolved over the years, and most importantly, the game played in the NBA is totally different from the game played in the Olympics. Wade spoke about that as well. 

How does the 2023 FIBA World Cup stand as an example of Dwyane Wade’s take on international basketball? 

Wade shared with Kevin Hart, “That doesn’t guarantee us anything, because on the other side of the ball, another team gonna have six or seven NBA players as well. The Olympics and the NBA Finals are two totally different things. Winning a gold medal is on a whole new different level.” The 2023 FIBA World Cup can be considered a perfect example to prove the above words of Wade. 

Team USA went with a young and fresh core for the FIBA World Cup. However, there was no question about the talent. In the Semi-Finals against Germany, the USA lost 111-113, after Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner dropped 17 points and 22 points each. USA’s next chance was to secure a bronze model, but Team Canada got the best of them. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, RJ Barret, Dillon Brooks, and Kelly Olynyk, are a few stars from the NBA who gave the USA a 9-point loss. This is what Wade hinted at in the above interview. The USA roster looks more experienced and trustworthy now, but let’s see if they can bring another gold for their nation.