North American journalist and television personality Skip Bayless assessed the performance of US national team point guard Stephen Curry in the semi-final and final of the Paris Olympics, comparing his game to that of small forward LeBron James.
“Oh, poor LeBron James. Steph Curry just shot him in the heart. He just stole the MVP award from poor LeBron. He was the favorite, and Steph has made 17 of 26 three-pointers in the last two games – the semifinals and the gold medal game,” Bayless posted on his social media page.
Bayless was referring to Curry's dominant shooting performance that led Team USA to the Olympic title. In the final against France, the Americans won 98-87, with Curry scoring 24 points and hitting eight three-pointers.
Despite Curry's heroics, LeBron James was ultimately named the tournament's MVP. The four-time NBA champion had led Team USA through the previous rounds with his all-around play and veteran leadership.
“LeBron is still one of the greatest of all time, there’s no doubt about that,” Bayless said. “But in these Olympics, Steph took it to another level. His shooting, his composure under pressure, his ability to take control of a game — it was truly transcendent. He deserved that MVP award more than anyone.”
Bayless' comments sparked a heated debate among basketball fans and pundits. Some agreed that Curry's performance was the most valuable contribution to the U.S. gold medal, while others felt that James' overall impact on the team's success should not be overlooked.
“LeBron may have had the best stats, but Steph was the engine that drove this team,” one analyst said. “When he hit those ridiculous three-pointers, it demoralized the opponent. That’s the kind of transcendent talent that wins you championships.”
Others, however, argued that James' all-around game and leadership were equally crucial factors. "LeBron did all the little things that don't show up in the box score," one former NBA player said. "He was the glue that held that team together. Steph may have had the highlights, but LeBron was the real MVP in my eyes."
