Paul Pierce labels bench star, not LeBron James and Steph Curry as Team USA’s leader: “His personality took over”
LeBron James and Team USA had a comfortable win against Team Canada on July 10 in their first basketball exhibition game before the Paris Olympics. Although it could be hardly argued that anybody has a bigger voice on the team than LeBron James, in a bold take, Paul Pierce said bench player Anthony Edwards was the leader of the USA team.
After the last game, the former NBA player gave his not-so-popular take on leadership within Team USA.
“I think the clear leader of this team is Ant-Man ... because I noticed the game change when Ant-Man got in … It’s like his personality took over the USA Team,” the 2008 NBA champion said.
Team USA started slow, going 1-11 from the field midway through the first quarter. However, things quickly changed after Edwards, along with Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum, came on the court. Edwards scored a quick 13 points and shifted the flow of the game.
However, Pierce understands that the team has been training for only four days and that Team USA should not change their starting lineup.
Edwards has previously said that the team will have to play through him. It was largely considered as a joke, but since the last game, Edwards has proven that he means serious business.
LeBron James voted best player on Team USA roster
LeBron James, at 39, is still among the elite players of the game and was voted the best player on the Team USA squad.
The Athletic conducted a poll for the best player among the USA players and the LA Lakers star got the highest number of votes. James led all players with a total of five votes. Jrue Holiday, Steph Curry and Edwards all received two votes.
The voters mostly comprised the USA select team and coaches. According to The Athletic, James’ dedication and leadership were two of the biggest reasons he got the most votes.
“You feel and see his presence on the court,” Jamahl Mosley, coach of the select team said. “You see exactly what he’s doing, the way he’s communicating, the way he’s talking, getting guys in position. There’s a level of focus on the seriousness of understanding the moment that he just continues to show.”
LeBron James scored seven points against Canada in the exhibition game. He shot 3-5 from the field and 0-2 from the 3-point line.