Potential International lineup for Team USA vs World future All-Star Game format

Backup Center: Joel Embiid, Cameroon

Embiid would be just about the best sixth man in the history of basketball. It’s absurd to think of the current reigning MVP of the league as a backup in any scenario, but he’s only behind the best player in the world and one of the best all-time in Jokic.

The two big men could theoretically share the floor as they are both so successful inside and out and would be a joy to watch playing off of each other. But the team would be a bit more slow and lumbering than one would like.

Playing that true double-big style in short bursts would be fun and could be crushing to a USA Team that is a bit undersized in general. There would also be a lot of overlap defensively, and the matchups would get tough if one or both guys had to consistently guard on the perimeter.

But Joel coming into the game fresh to go to work against the second unit - albeit a good one - would be massive. He is capable of dominating against any players on the planet and will be able to face somewhat compromised defenses.

With Jokic and Embiid, the international team can boast that along with the two best guards, they probably have the two best big men currently in the NBA as well. Throw in Giannis, and you can make a case that all of the five best players in the NBA are not Americans.