Four Team USA Players Poised for NBA MVP Leap

Team USA basketball is special because top American players spend months together, learning from each other and pushing their limits. This has led to some amazing MVP seasons right after the Olympics.

In 1992, Charles Barkley competed with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on the Dream Team and won MVP the next season. Similarly, LeBron James saw Kobe Bryant’s intense workouts in 2008 and went on to win his first MVP trophy. Kevin Durant also improved greatly after facing off against LeBron in 2012, winning MVP in 2013-14.

There’s something magical about spending a summer around greatness . So who from the 2024 Team USA might make that big leap this season?

Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves

Edwards spent his summer closely following his idol, Durant. He got to see firsthand how KD, James, and Curry work hard on their game. Fans might wonder if Edwards will have a similar transformation as LeBron did after seeing Kobe’s dedication back in 2008.

Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers

Even though Embiid has already won an MVP award, he can still grow as a teammate and leader. He often falls short when it matters most but tries to dodge responsibility. Playing with other top players who are pros at preparation and leadership could have influenced him. We’ll know more once we see how he handles challenges this season.

Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns

Booker could become a bigger star if he plays defense like he did for Team USA. Coach Steve Kerr praised him after the championship game, calling him “an incredible basketball player” and “our unsung MVP.”

Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics

Tatum might be on a mission this season to prove himself after being benched by coaches like Kerr and Spoelstra during the summer games. Instead of flashy improvements, Tatum might focus on gradually building momentum so he’s at his best during playoffs.

Tatum played many games over the past three years which likely affected his performance last postseason where he shot poorly from three-point range. Taking it easy at the start of this season could help him recover better.

Bonus: Noah Eagle | NBC Broadcaster

Noah Eagle impressed many with his Olympic commentary alongside Dwyane Wade. At just 27 years old, he has potential to become one of basketball’s iconic voices like Marv Albert or Mike Breen.

Fans love seeing young talent rise up! What do you think?