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NBA: Could a Team Europe now beat a Team USA?

By Luke Duffy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers hug following a game at Fiserv Forum on December 19, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers hug following a game at Fiserv Forum on December 19, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NBA stars Dennis Schroder vs James Harden

The moment where it all comes crashing down for Team Europe. Dennis Schroder of the Lakers is a fine point guard and had a season to remember with the Oklahoma City Thunder last year. alongside LeBron and Davis, the German is also the ideal point guard in that he gives up a lot of these duties to James.

But if he’s the best that Team Europe can offer up (it would be great to include Ben Simmons here, but he is Australian), then they are in trouble. James Harden on the other hand could be switched out for one of Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard (or Kyrie Irving, or Jamal Murray, or Trae Young, even Chris Paul, you get the idea…) and the drop-off in production wouldn’t be particularly significant.

In fact, Curry or Lillard might fit better with Team USA, although Harden has begun life as a Net by adapting his style to fit around his All-Star teammates, which was a big question mark once he came over from the Houston Rockets. Honestly, Team USA could even give their opponents one of the American floor generals who didn’t make the cut and still probably come out on top.

Which highlights a bigger trend here, and one which we’ve touched on already. Europe continues to develop hugely talented big guys (Nikola Vucevic, Jusuf Nurkic, Ivica Zubac, Clint Capela and Jonas Valanciunas all come to mind) who suit the modern NBA perfectly. Size yes, but most of them also have an above-average offensive game, nice passing or shooting ability, or a combination of both.

Where they’ve clearly been lacking is at the point guard position. You could put Doncic in here sure, just like Giannis he can do it all, but finding a two-guard is just as difficult. Nobody has come close to taking that role since Tony Parker retired (although maybe Milos Teodosic was let go too soon?)

There’s no point in talking about the contest between Schroder and Harden because there isn’t one. Harden is going to the Hall of Fame one day, and alongside Durant and only a couple of others could claim to be the greatest offensive talent the league has ever seen. Doncic is a start, and a great one, now let’s see who comes up behind him in the next decade from Europe.