Hear me out, (or don’t I’m just spitballing here)

USA’s Recent Challenges

The US has disappointed in the last 2 World Cups. There are a bunch of reasons for this:

1. They tend to send all their young guys
2. They haven’t sent their best big men
3. There isn’t a lot of consistency

Potential Solution

My proposal to counter all 3 of these things for future World Cups, (I think the US will still be fine in the Olympics), is to promote a top tier experienced big, (experience within the FIBA rules), to “captain” and “face”. Idk what extra perks you can give to a captain/face, but I would think promotional stuff. To have this title though, you have to commit to the World Cup and Olympics.

Maybe this will be extra motivation to play in the World Cup and the Olympics, instead of just the Olympics. It gives a sense of ownership and maybe there are financial benefits that come with being promoted in such a way.

Why Bam?

I only say Bam because he is the perfect age, has a lot of experience, and is a leader. He’ll be 30 and 34 in the next 2 FIBA World Cups, which is the perfect prime age.

It doesn’t have to be Bam or a big, as long as the team can get 1 top tier talent with experience. Ant/Tatum/Haliburton/Booker could all fit. Preferably it’s a big though because it’s the weakest position the US has to offer on the world stage.

Younger Alternative?

Alternatively, you can start the process with a younger guy and build him into the “captain” or “face”. Someone like Chet Holmgren could potentially grow into the role, but you’d probably want him to get more experience within the FIBA rules first.

Conclusion

I think having at least one guy that’s experienced and a top end talent, preferably at the big, is the biggest need for Team USA in the World Cup. I think they’ll be fine in the Olympics, but I think if the US wants to win the World Cup, they’ll need an experienced and talented leader in the locker room.