Skip Bayless is back at it again. Taking to X during Team USA’s game against Germany, Bayless posted that Michael Jordan would have averaged 15.5 points per game on this current version of Team USA. Bayless probably posted this seeing LeBron James put on a great performance against Germany.
“If Team USA had had Jordan in his prime today, it would’ve covered the 15.5-point spread.”
If Team USA had had Jordan in his prime today, it would've covered the 15.5-point spread.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 22, 2024
Bayless isn’t too far off about Jordan’s performances with Team USA. At the 1992 Olympics, Michael Jordan averaged 14.9 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 4.1 steals at the tournament. However, some might question how Jordan would do while playing against the caliber of players on the global stage now.
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that the level of international competition has improved significantly in the 22 years since Michael Jordan led Team USA to the gold medal in Barcelona. Jordan was the star player of the ‘Dream Team’, and played incredibly to help them win in Barcelona and make history.
Bayless has a history of being critical of LeBron James and using the legacy of Michael Jordan to undercut him on a regular basis. Given the timing of this post, it wouldn’t be a reach to suggest that this is him doing this once again.
LeBron James had an incredible showing against Germany, scoring 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal. He helped Team USA secure the win and go undefeated in the showcase games ahead of the Olympics.
LeBron James Has Eyes For Gold
LeBron James is looking to win his fourth Olympic medal, and his third gold medal this year. He won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and won gold at the 2008 and 2012 editions of the historic games. He hasn’t represented Team USA at the Olympics in 12 years.
He chose to make his return to Team USA after they were embarrassed at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, as they were knocked out by Germany at the tournament. Perhaps LeBron James was motivated to show Germany that things would have gone differently had he been on the court last year.
LeBron James was also named as a flag bearer for the USA Olympic contingent, an incredible honor for a player who has denied a generation of athletes not just in basketball, but sports as a whole. Team USA will be hoping to win their fifth consecutive gold medal this year with LeBron James leading the charge.
James is considered one of the undisputed starters by Steve Kerr, along with Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid. Building around James, one of the best passers in basketball today, is a smart idea.
James and Team USA went undefeated in their showcase games against Canada, Australia, Serbia, South Sudan, and Germany. They will feel confident about the momentum they have gathered ahead of the Olympics. Their first game will be against Serbia, whom they will be confident against, having already beaten them.
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