In a hypothetical match between Team World and Team USA, Shaquille O'Neal explained why Team World has the upper hand.
Credit: Fadeaway World
The NBA has been a global league for a while now, and international stars have taken over the sport in a major way in recent years.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic have the last 4 MVPs between them, and Joel Embiid is the most likely to win one outside of those two this season. Naturally, there is a lot of speculation about a game between Team USA and Team World, and Shaquille O'Neal recently gave his take on it.
Team World
Starting Lineup: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid.
Bench: Rudy Gobert, Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam, Domantas Sabonis, Lauri Markkanen, Joe Ingles, Buddy Hield.
Team USA
Starting Lineup: Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Anthony Davis.
Bench: Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Jaylen Brown, Zion Williamson.
"Who gonna guard Jokic? Who gonna guard Giannis? Who gonna guard Embiid? I have two defensive stoppers; who do you have? – We gonna get 'em with size, jam them up, force them to drive and kick, someone else gonna have to shoot – Who's also gonna guard Luka?" Shaquille O'Neal said, explaining why he thinks Team World would win this matchup.
Candace Parker and Jamal Crawford had some answers for him and a few things to say about perimeter defense, but it's safe to say that Team World does look a lot more menacing on paper. This matchup has been suggested as a way to improve the All-Star game, and it would genuinely be the most incredible game to watch.
The Key Difference Between Team USA And Team World
There is one aspect of the game where there is a very noticeable difference between the two teams. Starters on both teams are the greatest players in the NBA currently, but Team USA has only one player under 30, and that's Jayson Tatum. LeBron James and Kevin Durant are both very much approaching the end of their careers, and Stephen Curry is getting up there too.
As opposed to that, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic are all in the middle of their primes, as evidenced by the MVP race. Luka Doncic just turned 24, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the same age. Whether people like it or not, international stars seem primed to run the NBA for the years to come.
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