"I care more about LeBron James' legacy than Team USA": Nick Wright declares 4x NBA champion as best player in national outfit
Nick Wright believes LeBron James was the best player in the Team USA fold after their recent 5-0 run in the showcase games leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The NBA superstar was instrumental in the final two games against South Sudan and Germany as the US squad faced a stern test from the two countries.
Wright accounted for James' performances in the last two games and added how it made a case for him to be the greatest player on the side. Speaking on his "What's Wright? With Nick Wright" podcast, the analyst shed light on the four-time NBA champion's legacy:
"I'm not trying to sound unpatriotic. I care more about LeBron's legacy than Team USA. And for LeBron's legacy, this is unbelievable. He's he best player on the Olympic team. ...Do you know who doesn't think Steph Curry's better than LeBron? Steph Curry. ...You know who thinks the best player on that team is LeBron James? Anthony Edwards."
James was a force for Team USA in their final exhibition skirmish against Germany. The 92-88 win saw the seasoned forward explode for 11 points in the final four minutes to help the side win. He recorded 20 points in the game overall after taking over in the fourth quarter.
He had a similar effort against Sudan with a crucial lay-up to put the USA ahead by one point with eight seconds left in the game. His plays have seen him ranked as the best player in the team at 39. In the five games played so far, LeBron James leads Team USA in scoring (79) and assists (18).
"Don't think there is a better American basketball player": Nick Wright after LeBron James' impact in showcase games
Nick Wright's comments about LeBron James in his podcast come after his lavish praise of the LA Lakers superstar on FS1's "First Things First". Earlier, he spoke about the veteran's impact on Team USA's players and in the showcase clashes:
"Seeing the reverence that his teammates have shown towards him this entire process has been a revelation. I think he's the best player on the team. And I think that in these spots when you are getting a healthy LeBron James, I think even at a shade under 40, 21 years in the league, I don't think there's a better American basketball player."
James has played a significant number of minutes with Steve Kerr deploying his assets around the forward. Not only has James made solid scoring contributions, but has also been a facilitator, creating more offense options for the team's shooters.
Now, it remains to be seen if he can translate the same kind of performance when the decorated side takes on Nikola Jokic and Serbia in their Olympics opener on July 28.