The 2024 Paris Olympics are now in basketball history books, with LeBron James winning his third gold medal in his illustrious career. This recent achievement by the former NBA MVP has fans abuzz revisiting the basketball ‘Greatest of all time’ along with Michael Jordan.
Chiming in to this basketball barbershop talk, Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA champion turned basketball analyst, has already set the divide between Jordan and James.
“Greatest of all time,” said Perkins said through ESPN. “He got one up on MJ right now. LeBron James, he was consistently- started the best player on Team USA. Yes, he is 39 years of age. But he did it in old fashion. If you wanted him to guard every position on the defensive side of things, he did that. If you wanted him to play the point- he got guys the ball when they needed. If you wanted him to take over fourth quarters throughout the course of this Olympics, he did that.
Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, James last wore Team USA colors back in 2012, when he won his second gold medal in the London Olympics alongside the late Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant.
For Perkins, LeBron has been his basketball GOAT for Kendrick Perkins. Adding another gold medal in his trophy case gives James the edge of owning more Olympic medals than Jordan.
“Everything LeBron did at this age was beautiful to watch at the Olympics and he is one up on Jordan right now. He’s been my GOAT. But every time he gets one up on MJ– he has three gold medals, MJ has two– he is the most important player in basketball.”
LeBron James in international competition
At 39 years old, LeBron James has proven to be still on top of his game as he continues to delay father time with his basketball longevity. Capturing his third gold medal in the Olympics, this year’s run had him leading Team USA in multiple categories.
While Steph Curry had been the USA’s top scorer for the semifinal and gold medal matches, James was more consistent, leading the Americans with a team best of 14.6 points, 3.8 assists and 61.7% field goal shooting.
James is one of the three American basketball players to capture at least three gold medals, along with Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. He is also the first basketball player to be named the flag bearer for the USA during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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