Anthony Davis was swatting shots and LeBron James was throwing down lobs in Team USA’s win
In the first exhibition for Team USA, Anthony Davis stood out while LeBron James was offering up and throwing down lobs in a win over Canada.
After a bit of a scare to start the game against Canada on Wednesday, Team USA rallied to come away with a big win to kick off their summer, 86-72.
The night was full of highlights, particularly for the Lakers’ duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While LeBron had a fairly modest stat line — more on him later — AD had a huge performance, recording the only double-double for Team USA with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The not-Defensive-Player-of-the-Year finalist really made his mark defensively, swatting four shots and swiping two steals.
AD versatility. Shuts off the defender with the switch, and then the help block at the rim. pic.twitter.com/VUlblSUki5
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) July 11, 2024
Davis did not start the game as Joel Embiid got the nod at the center position. But Embiid immediately got in foul trouble and eventually fouled out in just 12 minutes, offering plenty of playing time for Davis.
Largely playing alongside Bam Adebayo, AD anchored Team USA’s defense and excelled as he always does on that end.
Anthony Davis with the block on Dillon Brooks pic.twitter.com/Gl1Rw6s538
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) July 11, 2024
AD still had plenty to offer offensively as well. His 10 points made him one of four players in double figures.
JT to AD.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
#USABMNT x @FS1 pic.twitter.com/y9yan8EA9u
Circus Circus.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
#USABMNT x @FS1 pic.twitter.com/9f0YKg9gaX
Not to be outdone on the lob-catching front, LeBron had the highlight of the night with Steph Curry. On a fastbreak, Steph found LeBron for an alley-oop, a play we’ll likely see a couple of times over the ensuing weeks.
Absolute cinema.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
#USABMNT x @FS1 pic.twitter.com/HUAgZ85jwb
After the game, the two were asked the play and you could see how giddy they were to finally be playing meaningful games alongside each other.
USA WINS!#USABMNT pic.twitter.com/xjm9f7tAHD
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 11, 2024
LeBron also had a chasedown block that sparked a Devin Booker 3-pointer as well.
A block by LeBron leads to a Booker three
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 11, 2024
: FS1 pic.twitter.com/7JwAo5G9T7
In 19 minutes of play, LeBron tallied seven points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. LeBron and AD accounted for five of the 11 steals for Team USA and five of the nine blocks.
And because it wouldn’t be a game against Dillon Brooks without a kerfuffle, he and LeBron had a moment early on, too.
LeBron and Dillon Brooks.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 11, 2024
(via @ohnohedidnt24)
pic.twitter.com/iB132kgzFE
It was just one game and an exhibition one at that, but AD was pretty clearly the best player for Team USA in this one. It’ll take some time for everyone to gel, but we saw last season Anthony Edwards go from sixth man to star of the team.
Don’t be surprised if AD supplants Embiid in the starting lineup. The former’s game is far more suited for FIBA play and he also is a much better defensive player in that starting lineup as opposed to Embiid.
No matter if it’s as a starter or reserve, though, AD looks primed for a big Olympics.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.