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USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Projecting the starting lineups for a Team USA vs. World NBA All-Star Game
Projecting the starting lineups for a Team USA vs. World NBA All-Star Game On Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed some massive news for the format of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. It will officially be a "Team USA vs. Team World" setup, which feels very appropriate for the current state of the league with so many international superstars shining, and is a natural pivot to make after seeing the success leagues like the NHL had with its "4 Nations Face Off." If the NBA was worried about meaningful competition in an exhibition, I have a hunch this is the exact way you motivate the faces of the league to give it their all. Now, while the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is still a ways away, it's never too early to project the possible starting lineups. Below you'll find the 10 players who I think will start this affair. I'm factoring in talent, lineup fit, and of course, some good old-fashioned basketball politics into my rationale. Barring health and expected performance during the regular season, here's the starting lineup we should probably expect for Team World: Point guard: Luka Dončić (Slovenia) Widely regarded as one of the best passers in the world, making Dončić the primary guard initiator for the international team is a no-brainer. Plus, if he's not dumping the ball off to his massive frontcourt, Dončić is absolutely lethal as a decelerating, patient scorer in his own right. Shooting guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada) The reigning MVP has no real flaws in his game. In fact, he's this close to being a 50-40-90 player if he can ever become a more proficient 3-point shooter (not that he's a bad one). Slotting Gilgeous-Alexander next to Dončić in the backcourt is kind of unfair. Small forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) There's something funny about slotting Antetokounmpo, who is a listed 6-foot-11, 243 pounds, at small forward. But that's more so about who his frontcourt teammates are. And we're not really worried about spacing concerns, considering who else is playing, too. Plus, there's no feasible realm where the two-time MVP and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year isn't starting for Team World. He's too good and too much of a physical force to be reckoned with. Power forward: Victor Wembanyama (France) Before a scary blood clot derailed his sophomore NBA season, Wembanyama was averaging over 24 points, 11 rebounds, nearly four assists, and almost four blocks a game. Oh, and he was also a 35-percent 3-point shooter on high volume ... as someone who stands at 7-foot-3. All at the age of 21. Yeah, he's a lock to start in these kinds of settings for the foreseeable future. Center: Nikola Jokić (Serbia) Jokić followed up his third MVP season by becoming the third NBA player ever to average a triple-double over an entire season. In other words, the all-around big man and best player in the world is at the peak of his powers. And in this specific All-Star context, the all-timer might just have the starting five that can truly accentuate and complement him in the best ways. Likewise, assuming health and expected performance, here's the starting lineup we'll probably see for Team USA: Point guard: Steph Curry Listen, even at the age of 37, Curry remains one of the best players in the game. He's still the league's top shooter. His gravity is still mostly unmatched. And even if you somehow wanted to start someone else, there's virtually no way one of the three core pillars of American basketball this century would ever let you make that decision. As he should. Shooting guard: Anthony Edwards At his current trajectory, Edwards may soon become the face of American basketball. He's led the Timberwolves to back-to-back conference finals appearances and already has an Olympic gold medal, albeit as more of a supporting player. His unique combo of explosiveness and lights-out shooting should make him a lock for the USA's starters. Small forward: Kevin Durant Like Curry, Durant might be older at the age of 36, but he remains an All-NBA-caliber player when he's firing on all cylinders. He's arguably the greatest mid-range "assassin" ever. And again, assuming he's available, you're simply not leaving off someone like Durant from the starting lineup no matter what, especially when he has made playing for Team USA one of his main calling cards. Power forward: LeBron James James, one of the two best NBA players ever, will be an All-Star until he retires. And no one is telling the living legend he's not starting against Team World in a first-time international All-Star environment. Even if James is in his 40s, I would have zero concerns about making him the small-ball power forward for just one game. He can handle it. Center: Joel Embiid There's no perfect answer for Team USA's starting center given Embiid's recent health issues. But the Americans do need something to combat Team World's MASSIVE frontcourt, and assuming Embiid will be healthy, the 2023 MVP is easily the best possible option to withstand and hold his own against that trio.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Must see basketball' — Giannis Antetokounmpo pushes for 2026 NBA All-Star Game to feature Team USA vs World in epic new format
Giannis Antetokounmpo. Image via: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Giannis Antetokounmpo may have missed the 2025 All-Star Weekend due to injury, but he has been vocal about the future of the NBA's midseason show. The Milwaukee Bucks star lit up social media with a bold vision for reviving the struggling All-Star Game, and it was highly anticipated: Team USA vs. Team World. And with the league desperately seeking ways to inject life into its marquee exhibition, this might be the spark it needs. Giannis Antetokounmpo backs USA vs. World NBA All-Star format Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to get in the NBA All-Star games for 2026, but with the twist that many NBA fans are rooting for. Certainly, Team USA vs. Team World has been the talk of the town for a long time. Responding to a fan on X, Antetokounmpo shared that the 2026 All-Star should have Team USA competing against Team World. 'This should be next year All Star Game format!! Must see basketball,' Giannis posted on X. He replied to a fan who attached a graphic that showed two superstar lineups — an elite American five squaring off against a dominant international squad. For years, fans and league officials alike have lamented the All-Star Game's steady decline. Flashy but lifeless, the event has lacked urgency, effort, and authenticity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Now, Giannis is offering something more than just another format tweak — he's offering stakes. The hypothetical matchup he shared was electric and will potentially be an instand fan favorite. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum are suiting up for Team USA against a world-class international five of Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama— the game will be what fans have been asking for all along. Also Read: Sydel Curry-Lee revealed Seth Curry's hilarious Instagram story with her husband Damion Lee This isn't a new idea. The NBA experimented with a USA vs. World theme in past Rising Stars games, and the NHL saw huge success with its 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. That tournament, featuring national squads from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland, reignited fan interest and drew emotional buy-in from players, even if it came with heightened injury risk. Canada's overtime win against Team USA was as thrilling as it was symbolic of what All-Star events could be when players genuinely care. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke lands top international prospect Dame Sarr, who flashed in front of NBA scouts at Nike Hoop Summit
The top international basketball prospect in the world is heading to Duke. Dame Sarr, who excelled in front of NBA scouts at the Nike Hoop Summit in April, will attend Duke next season in hopes of eventually reaching the NBA, he told ESPN. Sarr, 18, called Duke his dream school, and said there was no better place for him to prepare for the NBA, per ESPN. "My ultimate goal is to play in the NBA," Sarr said. "There's no better place to prepare you for that than Duke. For me to be as NBA-ready as possible, and become the best version of myself, I needed to have both experiences." Sarr started his professional career at age 16 in the Spanish ACB league in 2023. He played for Barcelona, where he became the second-youngest player to debut for the club. Sarr, who is from Italy, also played for the Italian senior national team last year. In April, Sarr attended the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon. Sarr, who is listed as a 6-foot-8 wing, started for Team World. He turned in a strong performance against star high-school players from the United States, dropping 17 points, 4 rebounds and a steal in the 124-114 loss to Team USA. The decision to play in the event caused controversy, as Sarr reportedly attended the event without Barcelona's approval. The team reportedly was on board with Sarr attending the event early in the season, but changed course after he emerged as an important player on the roster. Sarr told ESPN he didn't think it was right to pull out of the event, and attended the Nike Hoop Summit anyway. A few days after the event, Barcelona and Sarr released a joint statement announcing Sarr would not play for the club the rest of the season. Sarr said it was an amicable decision, telling ESPN, "We ended everything on great terms, and I still love Barcelona."
United News of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
London to host 2026 Laver Cup
London, May 22 (UNI) The Laver Cup, the annual men's team tennis tournament between Team Europe and Team World, will return to London in 2026, organizers announced on Wednesday. Named in honor of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the Laver Cup features six players from Europe competing against six counterparts from the rest of the world in a three-day team competition. The inaugural edition was held in Prague in 2017, and the event notably hosted Swiss legend Roger Federer's final match in London in 2022. "My final match in 2022 was filled with emotion and unforgettable memories -- being surrounded by my teammates who were also my greatest rivals -- it was everything I could have hoped for," said the 20-time Grand Slam champion and Laver Cup co-founder. "I'm really looking forward to returning to such a meaningful place, this time as a fan, and experiencing the incredible Laver Cup atmosphere once again." This year's Laver Cup will take place in San Francisco from September 19-21. So far, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Holger Rune have been named to Team Europe, while Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton and Joao Fonseca have joined the lineup for Team World. UNI XINHUA GNK
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Laver Cup 2026 to be hosted at London's O2 Arena
The 2026 men's Laver Cup tennis tournament between Team Europe and Team World will be held at London's O2 Arena from September 25-27, organisers said on Wednesday. The O2 Arena also held the event's fifth edition in 2022. This year's eighth tournament is set to take place in San Francisco from September 19-21. ALSO READ: 'Not in need of a coach', says Djokovic ahead of French Open 'The response from London – from fans, partners and players – was truly overwhelming,' Laver Cup chairman Tony Godsick said in a statement. 'The appetite to see Laver Cup return was impossible to ignore.' The tournament, named after Australian great Rod Laver, pits six top players from Europe and the rest of the world against each other in singles and doubles matches. Defending champion Team Europe has won five of the seven editions so far. Related Topics Laver Cup
