USA VS WORLD AT THE ALL STAR GAME…
International basketball isn’t the future.
It’s the present.
And nobody understands that shift better than @TheNBAMix, whose roster breakdowns have been blowing up on X — and the moment he dropped his USA and World All-Star teams, I knew I needed to step in and build the counter rosters.
So this blog is a full collab between BallersCulture and @TheNBAMix (link: https://x.com/TheNBAMix), breaking down:
- His USA roster
- His World roster
- Individual player evaluations
- My USA roster
- My World roster
- Statistical reasoning behind every pick
- USA vs World simulation (two matchups)
This is the definitive international basketball breakdown — and it only happened because @TheNBAMix sparked it.
Let’s dive in.
@TheNBAMix USA Roster Breakdown
(Link: https://x.com/TheNBAMix)
His USA Team:
Jalen Brunson
Anthony Edwards
Devin Booker
Kevin Durant
Austin Reaves
Tyrese Maxey
Cade Cunningham
Norman Powell
Jalen Duren
Karl-Anthony Towns
Steph Curry
Donovan Mitchell
Let’s go player-by-player.
⭐ Jalen Brunson
28 PPG • 6.5 APG
A mid-range surgeon and the most stable creator on this roster. Brunson gives Team USA the half-court security blanket they always lack.
⭐ Anthony Edwards
27.3 PPG • All-NBA Defense trajectory
One word: pressure. Ant plays like every possession is personal. Identical energy to prime Wade.
⭐ Devin Booker
28.5 PPG • 50/37/89 splits
When Booker gets downhill with shooters around him, it’s over. Could easily lead this team in scoring.
⭐ Kevin Durant
Still 25/5/3 in Year 19
KD is plug-and-play perfection. Gives USA the mismatch killer that international teams fear most.
⭐ Austin Reaves
The most surprising All-Star addition by @TheNBAMix — and it works.
Reaves is a connector:
• 28 Points Per Game
• 33% from 3
• 8 Assists Per Game
Glue guys win international basketball.
⭐ Tyrese Maxey
32 PPG breakout year
Maxey’s speed is international basketball’s cheat code. No one on Earth slides with him in transition.
⭐ Cade Cunningham
27.5 Points and 9.9 Assists Per Game.
The tempo-setter. Gives USA the big guard advantage they haven’t had since 2012 Harden.
⭐ Norman Powell
Shooting 47% from deep this season
THIS is the sneaky genius pick by @TheNBAMix.
Spacing wins international games.
⭐ Jalen Duren
20/12 on 65% shooting
USA needs an enforcer. Duren gives them prime Kenneth Faried energy but stronger.
⭐ Karl-Anthony Towns
One of the greatest shooting big men ever
FIBA line + KAT = nightmares.
⭐ Steph Curry
Automatic. No explanation needed.
⭐ Donovan Mitchell
High-level shot creation AND backcourt physicality. Can play next to literally anyone above.
Overall theme:
@TheNBAMix built a USA team with shooting, speed, and multiple handlers.
This team scores 130 on anybody.
@TheNBAMix World Roster Breakdown
(Link: https://x.com/TheNBAMix)
World Team:
Luka Dončić
Victor Wembanyama
Nikola Jokić
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Alperen Şengün
Lauri Markkanen
Deni Avdija
Domantas Sabonis
Josh Giddey
Jamal Murray
Franz Wagner
This is where things get generational.
⭐ Luka Dončić
34/9/9
The best offensive engine in the world. FIBA rules + Luka = supercomputer basketball.
⭐ Victor Wembanyama
3.8 blocks per game
A 7’4″ alien who erases half the court.
⭐ Nikola Jokić
Reigning 3× MVP
Teams win by 40 when he sits. That’s how valuable he is.
⭐ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
32.5 PPG • 54/36/92
Arguably the best two-way guard alive.
⭐ Giannis Antetokounmpo
32.6 PPG on 63%
The most dominant athletic force on the planet.
This starting five is illegal.
⭐ Alperen Şengün
22/10/7
Baby Jokić — and he keeps getting better.
⭐ Lauri Markkanen
One of the best floor-spacing 7-footers on Earth.
⭐ Deni Avdija
Career-high 26 Points Per Game
Elite transition defender.
⭐ Domantas Sabonis
17/12/4
The best rebounder in the NBA.
⭐ Josh Giddey
6’8 playmaker
Thrives in space.
⭐ Jamal Murray
Best big-moment playoff guard in the league.
⭐ Franz Wagner
One of the best all-around young wings in basketball.
Overall theme:
This World team is length, IQ, and versatility.
They don’t play star-ball — they play system basketball.
My USA Roster (Built to Counter @TheNBAMix’s World Team)
My key philosophy:
You don’t beat the World with talent.
You beat them with lineups that exploit matchups.
So my USA team values:
• Physicality
• Switchability
• Shooting
• Rim pressure
• Defensive versatility
My USA Roster:
Stephen Curry
Anthony Edwards
Kawhi Leonard
Jayson Tatum
Bam Adebayo
Tyrese Haliburton
LeBron James
Mikal Bridges
Trae Young
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Derrick White
Paolo Banchero
Why this team works:
– Curry/Tatum/Banchero lineups create perfect spacing
– LeBron + Haliburton = genius playmaking
– Kawhi/Mikal/JJJ = multiple defensive counters
– Bam = the best possible Jokic/Wemby matchup piece
– Trae gives Team USA the pick-and-roll pressure they lack
My World Roster (Built to Counter @TheNBAMix’s USA Team)
My goals:
– More rim protection
– More spacing
– Better matchup coverage on U.S. guards
My World Roster:
Luka Dončić
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Nikola Jokić
Victor Wembanyama
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jamal Murray
Lauri Markkanen
Pascal Siakam
Franz Wagner
Jonas Valančiūnas
Ousmane Dieng
Dyson Daniels
Why it works:
– Luka/SGA/Jokić = all-time half-court trio
– Wemby + Giannis = most unfair rim protection in basketball history
– Markkanen/Franz = 6’10+ shooters
– Pascal = defensive versatility
– Dyson Daniels = elite perimeter stopper at age 21
Simulation #1 — @TheNBAMix World vs My USA
Final Score: World 127 – USA 118
Why the World Wins:
– Jokić controls the half-court pace
– Luka picks on mismatches
– Wemby + Giannis erase everything at the rim
– SGA cooks switches
– Franz + Markkanen hit open threes from Luka doubles
My USA keeps it close because of Curry/Tatum shooting, but they cannot match the interior dominance.
Simulation #2 — @TheNBAMix USA vs My World
Final Score: USA 134 – World 129
Why USA Wins:
– Steph goes nuclear (32 points)
– KD scores at all three levels
– Maxey’s speed kills slow-footed World defenders
– Towns forces Wemby out of the paint
– USA shoots 47% from three
My World team fights back, but this version of @TheNBAMix USA has too much FIREPOWER.
📌 Final Conclusion
This collab with @TheNBAMix (link: https://x.com/TheNBAMix) shows one thing clearly:
The World has the best players.
Team USA has the most dangerous offensive combinations.
If these four rosters ever played a real tournament…
basketball might explode.
