What’s the future of American bigs? Plus, Zendaya’s gift to Oakland

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Zendaya and I appreciate local cats getting buckets on West Oakland blacktops.

Size Matters Abroad!

Should Team USA go big?

Team USA’s interior struggles during the World Cup have the world side-eyeing American bigs. Jaren Jackson Jr. – the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year – and Walker Kessler combined for three rebounds against Montenegro and Lithuania, who bullied Team USA with a plus-34 rebound advantage and 41 total offensive boards. Poor shooting is the only reason Montenegro didn’t win, but Lithuania channeled its inner NBA Jam by going 14-of-26 from deep en route to a dub.

Admittedly, things were a bit better this morning in the Americans’ 100-63 quarterfinal rout of Italy, when Jackson, Kessler and company outrebounded their opponent 51-33. Team USA could still win the World Cup and has already secured a spot in the 2024 Olympics, but the macro question now is how will they respond to next summer’s pending interior assault? The Americans believe athleticism and mobility are apt counters, but it could be time to bring actual centers to international play, where size matters more compared to the NBA.

With that being said, who are the premier options?

• Anthony Davis: 6-10, 253 — The Brow is America’s best NBA big man and defended incredibly during the playoffs. But, with his new contract, would the Lakers let him bang with global bruisers?
• Jarrett Allen: 6-11, 243 — He’s only a solid rebounder but a legit defensive presence. Allen also is second among all NBA players in overall shooting in the last two seasons (65.9 percent, minimum 1,000 attempts).
• Brook Lopez: 7-0, 282 — Lopez is a good rebounder/rim protector who can shoot. But he barely played in the 2019 World Cup and turns 35 next year.
• Bam Adebayo: 6-9, 255 —  Adebayo is undersized but experienced, having won gold in 2021. He tied for the lead in blocks (seven) despite averaging under 20 minutes.
• Evan Mobley: 7-0, 215  — The youngster has the height, skill and tenacity. But he also needs a lot of muscle.
• Mitchell Robinson: 7-0, 240 — He’s a rebound inhaler and fourth in the NBA in blocks since debuting in 2018.

If none of these bigs inspire you, then you understand why ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned Team USA might try persuading Joel Embiid to wear the ol’ Red, White and Blue. The Cameroon native has citizenship in France and the U.S. but remains a FIBA basketball free agent.

Maybe the U.S. needs a real goon or two? Someone who could purely be a physical nuisance, crash the boards and touch everybody who comes across the paint? Players like Kevon Looney, Robert Williams III, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are sound rebounders and shot-blockers who could be sound options too. Honestly, Stewart’s interaction with Gilbert Arenas warrants roster consideration.

We’ll see…