As the sports world casts its gaze toward the upcoming Olympic cycles, significant changes are afoot for Team USA Basketball. By the time the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics roll around, the torch will have been passed from the capable hands of head coach Steve Kerr, who is set to step down following the Paris 2024 Games.
Steve Kerr has made it clear that his tenure as the head coach of Team USA Basketball is modeled on a two-year cycle. Kerr stated, "To me, it's a two-year; it's a cycle. Pop coached a World Cup and the Olympics, now it's my turn to pass the baton. I think that's kind of how it should be." This philosophy stems from the practices of previous coaching regimes, notably those led by Mike Krzyzewski and Jerry Colangelo. Kerr acknowledged their role in establishing a robust culture and system within the team, where long-term commitments from coaches were pivotal. "I think it was different the last go-around with Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) and Jerry (Colangelo), when they were really establishing this culture and this system where guys had to commit for a couple years," Kerr reflected. "Made sense for Coach K to stay on. But I think where we are now, one cycle and you move on."
As Kerr prepares his departure, the names of Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue have emerged as the leading candidates to succeed him. Both have impressive resumes and have contributed significantly to Team USA's endeavors. Spoelstra, the head coach of the Miami Heat, has led his team to two NBA championships and six NBA Finals appearances. Lue, known for his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, brought the franchise to three NBA Finals appearances and secured a championship in 2016. During the Paris Games, both served as assistant coaches under Kerr, further solidifying their candidacies.
However, the journey has not been without its challenges. The 2023 FIBA World Cup highlighted some of the difficulties faced by Team USA, with Spoelstra and Lue guiding the squad to a fourth-place finish. This outcome was an improvement from the seventh-place finish in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, marking a small but meaningful step forward.
As the focus shifts to future competitions, speculation around the roster for Los Angeles 2028 is already brewing. Jaylen Brown's name has surfaced as a potential addition to the team. On the other hand, overseas interests are also coming into play. Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers' star center, is contemplating representing Cameroon in the 2028 Olympics, a decision that could shape competitive dynamics on the global stage.
Meanwhile, fans lament the absence of notable talents in intermediate competitions. Anthony Edwards, for example, has ruled out competing in the 2027 FIBA World Cup, leaving a vacuum that the coaching staff will need to address as they plan for the future.
As Team USA Basketball navigates these transitions, the upcoming 2024 Paris Games will mark the end of an era under Steve Kerr's leadership. The groundwork laid by Kerr, combined with the potential of successors like Spoelstra and Lue, aims to sustain and build upon the team's legacy. The anticipation of who will take the helm next fuels a narrative rich with expectations and promise. With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, basketball fans around the world will be watching closely to see how Team USA adapitates and evolves.