Kendrick Perkins reckons LeBron James pushing full throttle in Olympics to 'one-up' Michael Jordan
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins thinks that LeBron James wants to win more Olympic gold medals than Michael Jordan after seeing Team USA barely beat South Sudan on Saturday, where James took over to give the national team the win. Perk shared his thoughts on why the star forward is insistent on winning this summer.
In his regular appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today", Big Perk offered the idea that James is trying to bring home more Olympic gold medals than the Chicago Bulls legend.
"The one thing that I take away from that game is LeBron James," Perkins said. "And he talk about 'Striving for greatness,' but how about changing it up a big and saying, 'Striving to beat the greatest of all time?'"
"Because here's the the magical number right now if you think about it, it's two. The magical number is two. Why? Because I know it's boring right now in the basketball world when it comes down into the NBA.
"If LeBron James can get one up on him in that category, you best believe he's going to do everything in his power to do that. That's why he's taking it so serious."
Right now, both James and Jordan have two Olympic gold medals each and James has a clear shot at winning another this summer. However, with other countries catching up, it could be a more daunting task for Team USA to win--but it's not impossible.
Also read: LeBron James beams with pride as he becomes first male basketball player to carry the USA flag at Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony
Star point guard breaks the news of LeBron James being Team USA's flag bearer
LeBron James has made history once again as he was selected to be the U.S. Olympic flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony. James is the first male basketball player to carry the flag during the prestigious event.
Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry announced the news to the team, and James made a speech afterward.
"He got that honor, so toy get the way to flag in Paris, my man," Curry said.
LeBron joins WNBA greats, Sue Bird and Dawn Staley, as the only American basketball players to share the honor.
Also read: Stephen A. Smith weighs in ring factor to argue LeBron James vs Tom Brady as best athlete of 2000s