Draymond Green points out X-factor on Team USA who could trump Nikola Jokic's squad

Team USA rematches against Serbia in Thursday's 2024 Paris Olympic semifinal showdown. Some are concerned about the Nikola Jokic-led squad's upset potential. However, according to Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green, the Serbians' top guards can't compete with the Americans' reserve guards, making Serbia a non-threat.

The U.S. has coasted through three group-phase games and its quarterfinal matchup against Brazil, winning each contest by 17-plus points. That includes a 110-84 blowout victory over Serbia to open group play on July 28.

Nevertheless, many refuse to count out Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, after he led the Serbians to a 24-point comeback against Australia in the quarterfinals.

However, during Wednesday's episode of "The Draymond Green Show," Green dismissed the notion that Serbia can challenge Team USA. He highlighted how the Americans' 12th man, Tyrese Haliburton, would be the clear-cut best guard on Serbia's roster.

"That doesn't work because they have Joker, no question. But they don't have a guard that can compete with Tyrese Haliburton," Green said. "That is zero disrespect to Tyrese Haliburton, but Tyrese Haliburton has been the guard out of the rotation [for] Team USA.

"Tyrese Haliburton is an All-Star guard, now two-time All-Star, he's gonna continue to be an All-Star. ... If Serbia had Hali, different story, they could compete more. They don't have the guard play, they don't have the play around Joker to be able to compete," he continued.

Serbia's most productive guards thus far have been Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vasilije Micic. Both are NBA role players. However, their accomplishments in the league pale in comparison to Haliburton's. Meanwhile, Team USA has several other elite NBA guards, including Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards and Jrue Holiday.

So, Jokic will likely have to carry his squad on his back to help it compensate for its substantial backcourt talent disadvantage.

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Draymond Green says Germany poses bigger threat to Team USA than Serbia

While Draymond Green doesn't expect Team USA to be upset in the Olympics, he noted that Germany poses the biggest threat, not Serbia.

"The next best team in the Olympics is Germany," Green said Wednesday.

The Germans, led by stars Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder, are on the other side of the bracket, preparing to face France in the semifinals. This year marks Germany's first time advancing past the Olympic quarterfinals. Nonetheless, many view it as the most well-rounded squad outside of Team USA.

The Germans nearly upset the Americans in their final exhibition matchup on July 22, with the U.S. prevailing 92-88. So, if they rematch in the Olympic final, perhaps Germany can put up another strong fight.

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