Joel Embiid recently shared quite a controversial opinion on LeBron James and Team USA. As the majority of fans should know, Team USA is currently participating in exhibition games and preparing for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
Although Team USA should be an overwhelming favorite to win in the Olympics, it has not established a significant gap between itself and other teams. After their most recent matchup against South Sudan, Joel Embiid was interviewed, and his thoughts on the team were clear. With that being said, let us take a closer look and find out more.
Joel Embiid claims that LeBron James and Team USA have been hyped up
After finding out that the United States would send out a roster consisting of LeBron James, Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, and several others, fans believed that Team USA would crush its opposition with a large margin and establish their superiority.
However, their narrow victory against South Sudan indicates that this team still has a long way to go. Joel Embiid claimed that the age of the players on their roster played a role in the hype and expectations that have surrounded the team.
“You look at the talent that the U.S. has, but there’s equal talent on other teams. And the talent that’s on the U.S. team, you also got to understand most of those guys are older. The LeBron now is not the LeBron that was a couple of years ago.”
Joel Embiid has a loser spirit. But that’s what happens when you let losers frontrun with you. #TeamUSA might end up regretting not sending this clown to 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/VLmKP92Psv
— Apex Jones (@ApexJones22) July 21, 2024
Embiid continued, “So it’s a big difference. Everybody would also tell you, and you can see for yourself, the athletic LeBron, dominant that he was a couple of years ago, is not the same that he is now. I think people get fooled by the names on paper. But those names have been built throughout their career, and now they’re older. They’re not what they used to be.”
While the 76ers star may be making a valid point, it would also be unfair to dismiss the greatness of players such as LeBron James simply because he is not in the prime of his career. Fans would certainly agree with this statement after watching King James in action against South Sudan.
LeBron James carried Team USA to victory vs South Sudan
This was a matchup that fans did not predict. Despite being overwhelming underdogs, South Sudan took a commanding lead after the first half and managed to shut down Team USA. Led by LeBron James’ elite play, the United States orchestrated a comeback and ended up winning the game.
Since the outcome of this game was decided by a game-winning layup made by LeBron, Embiid’s claim that he is not as great as he used to be is simply a case of bad timing. Fans are left wondering what Team USA will be able to accomplish in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.