Kendrick Perkins of ESPN thinks that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is motivated to earn Team USA a gold medal in the 2024 Olympics because another gold medal would signify his third, while former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan has two to his name.
"If LeBron James can get one up on [Michael Jordan] in that category, you best believe he's going to do everything in his power to do that."🏅 @KendrickPerkins says LeBron is trying to break his tie with Michael Jordan's two gold Olympic medals 👀 pic.twitter.com/1c1V7HGsVR
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 22, 2024
James and Team USA just wrapped up their schedule for the USA Basketball Showcase. The squad won all of its five contests versus Canada, Australia, Serbia, South Sudan and Germany. The team’s stint in the Olympics officially kicks off when it takes on Serbia on July 28.
The 39-year-old forward won his gold medals while playing for Team USA in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He was an important part of both teams, as James averaged 13.3 points per game on 60.3 percent shooting from the field in 2012 and 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 steals per contest in 2008.
James averaged the second-most points per game of any player on the 2008 iteration of Team USA, behind only former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade.
Jordan, on the other hand, won his pair of gold medals in the 1984 and 1992 Olympics. With the 1992 team — which is widely considered to be one of the greatest squads in the history of the sport — Jordan averaged 14.9 points as well as a whopping 4.1 steals per game. He also received more playing time than any other player on Team USA, considering he averaged a team-high 23.1 minutes of action per game.
While it’s debatable as to whether the current iteration of Team USA stacks up against the squad from 1992, James certainly has a lot of talent to work with on the roster. Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum are among the laundry list of stars who are representing the United States along with the 39-year-old.
It remains to be seen if James will capture his third gold medal later on this summer, but Team USA stands out as the overwhelming favorites to come out on top in the Olympics.
