Based on the strength of their starting five, Gilbert Arenas claims that the Philadelphia 76ers could take care of Team USA in 2024.
The Philadelphia 76ers began their 2026-27 NBA campaign with a win against the New York Knicks. The team was clicking to start the year, with their new superstar starting five all available. They secured a 106-100 victory, even as their best players played big minutes.
Tyrese Maxey was the leading scorer with 28 points. Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid had 19, 14, and 13 points respectively as they took on the reigning champs. It was an all-round performance, and Gilbert Arenas had high praise for this version of the Sixers.
Gilbert Arenas claims it would be a battle between 2026-27 Sixers and 2024 Team USA starting fives
The 2024 Team USA roster which won the Olympic gold medal was so stacked, they were called ‘the Avengers’. Stephen Curry and LBJ were permanent fixtures in the starting five, alongside the likes of Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant who were all in and out.
Two of those superstars are now on the Sixers, too. While making a point about how loaded with talent this team is, former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas brought up the Avengers.
“That’s the USA team,” Arenas said. “That Philly team is the USA basketball team. The Olympics team. If you take that team and you match them up against the 2024 team, that’s going to be a battle… The starting five. We’re talking about the starting five. That starting five against a USA starting five… It’s similar.”
Outside of VJ Edgecombe, all the other starters could easily be on Team USA and as discussed, some have already been. In terms of star power, it is certainly one of the most electric starting fives ever. It remains to be seen if they can deliver a championship this season.
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