We’ve already seen in USA’s first game how LeBron James has a sway over the officials. The same thing happened again after Anthony Davis was penalized for a foul during the South Sudan game. And this time LeBron did not come alone to the protest party! He had backup.
As the camera focused on the game official, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant swarmed him, almost dominating an Olympic referee. The legendary NBA stars were pleading their case to the official after Anthony Davis’ elbow rammed into Wenyen Gabriel’s abdomen. Davis was done with the call. He was visibly frustrated, shaking his head, smiling out of disbelief, because for Davis, it was an “accident”. For him, it was just him trying to move to one side to shoot.
Noah Eagle on CNBC commentary pointed out the generational picture and on Live broadcast, “Think about the four players right there that are pleading to Takaki Kato, a 10-year FIBA veteran. You’ve got Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and LeBron James, all on the 75th anniversary team, trying to tell you that your call is incorrect.” That didn’t really matter after all as Team USA sailed home with a 103-86 win. Sure, Curry was awful, Anthony Edwards was far from his best and Even LeBron James found it hard to get going with his 6 turnovers. But it was about sending a message that these guys are not here to mess around. And boy didn’t they send it loud and clear to the officials.
Officiating in the 2024 Paris Olympics created quite a stir after the France and Japan game due to some dodgy decisions. Incidentally, that was surrounding Anthony Davis’ Lakers teammate, Rui Hachimura. So Team USA’s mass complaining against officials is bound to raise further questions about FIBA’s officiating. But that wasn’t enough to distract the keen gaze of die-hard LeBron critic, Skip Bayless as he tore into LBJ and Steph’s off day on the hardwood.
Skip Bayless blasts LeBron James and Steph Curry’s Dream Team 2.0
Team USA have qualified for the quarterfinals with a game to spare. The 103-86 win became a showcase for the players starving for game time. But once the euphoria of the win wanes away, the reality will hit hard as just how poor Steph Curry in particular was. Highlighting that, Bayless took to social media to deliver his harsh verdict on his performance. LeBron James also wasn’t spared from the Fox analyst’s rant as he wrote, “Steph Curry: 1-9, 0-6 from three, can’t guard anybody. LeBron: SIX MORE TURNOVERS. And this team could beat Michael Jordan’s Dream Team?”
Curry went 1-9 from the field in this performance to forget. He was able to add only 3 points to his name while LeBron added 10. Despite the criticism of his turnover-filled game, the 39-year-old made history by reaching 300 Olympic points joining the esteemed company of KD and Carmelo Anthony. The final group game will pit Team USA against Group C basement boys Puerto Rico and with qualification secured, expect fewer minutes for LeBron and Curry to save up for the battles ahead.
And to absorb more interesting stories, watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where the prodigy puts Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr under the pump with loaded NBA questions and more in this video below.
