Generally, whenever there is a need for a collection of individuals to perform as a team, it requires chemistry to build between them. Most basketball players on Team USA have played on their respective NBA teams for some time. Therefore, it is a major feat that they came together and demolished opponents at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Nevertheless, Brian Windhorst believes the likes of LeBron James and his superstar teammates have yet to show their true potential. The longtime insider was speaking on NBA Today via video conference from Paris. When asked to recap Team USA’s win over Brazil in the quarterfinals, Windhorst summed it up by saying the team has a higher level.
It’s probably the best they have played. I actually think they have a higher level. They are getting better… this team has established an identity. Which is hard to do in a month’s time, but they are very much playing for the collective. They share the responsibility, the pressure and at the end they want to share the glory.
Brian Windhorst via NBA Today
Windhorst, who has watched the games up front in Paris, has the view that the team has yet to reach its peak. That is an unreal statement, considering they have beaten teams at the Olympics by double digits. Brian Windhorst also referenced that Team USA had their fifth different leading scorer in the game against Brazil.
It goes to show that they are not relying on any one particular player to lead their team. That means they are just conserving their energy. If the need arises, they can go all out and dominate. Maybe even go one up on the single-game scoring record the 2012 team put up on Nigeria, who coincidentally had LeBron James and Kevin Durant on that team as well.
LeBron James still heads the Olympics MVP ranking
In the quarterfinals, the standout performer among all players was Nikola Jokic. He single-handedly helped Serbia turn the game around and stage the largest comeback in the history of Olympic basketball. That said, LeBron James is playing extremely smart basketball despite playing a little over one-third of the game.
In approximately 16 minutes, the 39-year-old put up 12 points off an incredible 83% shooting while dishing out nine assists to his teammates. He also grabbed three rebounds and stole the ball three times. That incredibly efficient production has kept him firmly at the top of the FIBA MVP rankings with two games to go.
If Team USA continues to use LeBron James in this manner, he could end up with the one award he has set his sights on ever since he asked his current teammates to band up together. Being an MVP of the Paris Olympics 2024 will be one of his crowning achievements.
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