Doc Rivers Explains How He Would Build 2024 Olympic Team

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2011 NBA All-Star Game
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Eastern Conference points in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Rivers believes the team needs the "right 12" and not "the most talented 12."

Doc Rivers shared some insights into how he would approach the roster headache that is Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. "It's twofold. Number one, no coach is ever going to complain about having a lot of talent. That's number one. Then once the coach gets all that talent, he's going to start complaining about having too much talent. That's how it works. It just does. To me, it's all about fit. Everyone wants to fit. They do. They come in, all that talent, and that becomes problematic because guys stop playing their game. So, you still want guys to be who they are, and you want that to all fit. LeBron, Steph Curry, they have so many guys that they're going to have to figure out the right 12. Instead of just the most talented 12, figure out the right 12," Rivers said.

Furthermore, Rivers revealed that he had been pushing Joel Embiid to declare for Team USA during his tenure with the Sixers. "The one thing they definitely need is size and rebounding, and Joel will fit that. Joel and I talked about it probably 10 times last year. I made no bones about telling him, you've got to play on the USA Olympic team. You knew he would, but he never shows his cards, if you know Joel, but he does. So that was not a surprise, his announcement. And I think he will be on it, obviously," Rivers added.

Rivers Picks Nuggets & Celtics As Title Favorites

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 07: Head coach Doc Rivers of Team Durant speaks with his team during the second half against Team James in the 70th NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena on March 07, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Elsewhere during a wide-ranging press conference hosted by ESPN, Rivers also gave his picks for the title favorites in the upcoming NBA season. Rivers named the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics as his conference favorites for the upcoming NBA season. "Denver has to be the favorite. Aaron Gordon was such a good pickup for them and its one that not enough people talk about," Rivers said, "However, the West is wide open. They [Denver] will have old contenders, young contenders. Meanwhile, Boston lost Marcus Smart, they lost their best defensive players. And then they go and get probably the best defensive guard in the league. I think that makes them the favorite in the East."

Rivers joins the broadcast booth after parting ways with the Sixers at the end of last season. However, it's not Rivers' first time behind the mic. After leaving the Magic in 2003, Rivers joined ABC to call the 2004 Finals. Rivers will join veteran broadcasters Mike Breen and Doris Burke on the broadcast team for the 2023/24. However, he also confirmed at the ESPN press conference that he had made no long-term agreement with the network.

About The Author
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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