The U.S. men's basketball team has once again secured a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, but this victory brings attention to the challenges that lie ahead for USA Basketball in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The team faces several issues that need to be addressed, including roster construction, coaching staff, and player dynamics, in order to maintain their dominance and strive for a sixth consecutive gold medal.

Grant Hill, the managing director of the USA Basketball men's national team, has his work cut out for him as he navigates these challenges. The recent comments from Jaylen Brown about his exclusion from the Olympic team and Jayson Tatum's limited playing time in crucial games against Serbia have highlighted areas that require smoothing out. These issues have not gone unnoticed by players, and Tatum's situation in particular raises concerns about player motivation and commitment to future Olympic teams.

Despite Tatum's handling of his situation with professionalism and understanding, it raises questions about the selection process and coaching decisions. The exclusion of a first-team All-NBA player from significant game time in a championship pursuit has sparked criticism from legendary players such as Bob Cousy, Charles Barkley, Paul Pierce, and Draymond Green. Even coach Steve Kerr struggled with not playing Tatum, leading to a mini-controversy during the quest for Olympic gold.

Kerr defended his decision-making by referring to it as a "math problem," with limited minutes available and a need to prioritize certain players in close games. However, this explanation has left some questioning his reasoning and whether other players could have been given a chance instead. Regardless of the outcome, any decision made by Kerr would have likely faced criticism if it didn't result in a gold medal victory.

As the U.S. prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, they face a unique challenge in terms of continuity and experience. While talent will not be an issue, with the most talented roster expected in the 12-team field, the lack of consistent playing together as a team poses a significant hurdle. Countries such as Serbia, Germany, France, and Australia are expected to have a majority of their players committing to multiple international events over the next four years, including the 2027 FIBA World Cup. In contrast, American NBA stars are less likely to commit to consecutive summers of international basketball, especially if they have deep playoff runs.

FIBA's decision to hold the World Cup one year ahead of the Olympics may inadvertently level the playing field by forcing teams like the U.S. to assemble and train quickly before the Olympics. This means that the U.S. men's team will have limited time together, playing just a few exhibition games before the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. This lack of continuity and experience could pose a significant challenge for the U.S. team, which has relied heavily on talent in recent years, as seen in their success in Paris led by LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant.

While talent has been a key factor in the U.S.'s recent dominance, it is inevitable that they will face a setback in their pursuit of Olympic gold. The challenges ahead require careful planning and strategic decision-making from Grant Hill and the coaching staff to ensure that the U.S. remains competitive on the global stage.