When Team USA lost back-to-back exhibition games, it was a major cause for concern.
And now that the real games have begun, and Team USA has dropped its first game, it has only generated more and more concern within the basketball community.
As folks try to pinpoint the source of the issue, Lakers legend Magic Johnson highlighted one major missing piece on the roster: 4x NBA Champion, LeBron James:
What the USA Men’s Basketball team is missing is a guy who’s won 4 NBA Championships (making him a proven winner), the best leader in the game of basketball, and someone who makes his teammates better…aka LeBron James!
What the USA Men’s Basketball team is missing is a guy who’s won 4 NBA Championships (making him a proven winner), the best leader in the game of basketball, and someone who makes his teammates better…aka LeBron James!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 26, 2021
At the present, USA’s roster consists of Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Draymond Green, Jerami Grant, Zach LaVine, and Jayson Tatum.
With a team like that, one would think they would be fine without James, especially considering the fact they’ve won plenty of other Gold medals without him.
But with everything that has happened, one has to wonder if Bron would have changed things.
Not only is he a great all-around player, but he also makes others around him better through his leadership and playmaking. His presence on the team would have, no doubt, have helped tremendously.
As such, some are actively blaming him for Team USA’s struggles. Jason Whitlock is one of them and went so far as to say he will not age well.
At the end of the day, it can be easy to look for someone to blame for Team USA’s performance. LeBron, coach Pop, whoever. There are no shortage of candidates.
But it’s not always that easy — and there isn’t always someone to blame.
Besides, they still have time to get things together. Hopefully, Team USA can get its act together before it’s all said and done.
