LeBron James hushed critics once again on Wednesday when Team USA squared off against Team Australia in a quarterfinal match, in which USA sailed to a 119-86 victory over the Aussies.
How did LeBron silence his detractors?
He accomplished a feat that had yet been accomplished in Team USA Olympic history. Any guesses?
Yup, LeBron James recorded the first triple-double in Team USA Olympic history.
Hopefully, you weren’t surprised because if you were, I would question your acumen with the game because LeBron James has arguably the best all-around skill set in the NBA.
For statistical purposes, he accumulated his triple-double with 11 points on 3-for-7 shooting, 14 rebounds — 3 offensive, 11 defensive — and 11 assists with ZERO turnovers, not to mention he had seven points, six assists, and 10 rebounds by the half. For the record, LeBron’s triple-double with zero turnovers in 30 minutes was the first in over 25 years in the NBA.
It has been said a bazillion times how passing, arguably, is LeBron’s greatest skill and this is yet another game where it was on full display. LeBron James is the quintessential unselfish superstar. He finds the open man, he doesn’t pass to defer, but passes because he sees an opportunity to score. He doesn’t ball hog like the A-Typical superstar, but facilitates and — in my eyes — is one of the greatest facilitators in the NBA.
Some detractors may find his passes “textbook” or just “okay” but the fact is the league in it’s a current state has a me-first mentality. It’s a league in which fans are used to seeing superstars, stars, even role players “get theirs” while LeBron wants the team to get theirs.
Hell, with Team USA’s stacked roster, it should also come to no surprise why LeBron doesn’t feel like he should gun as there’s Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant to do that, which gives Bron this brilliant opportunity to embrace his inner Oscar Robertson …..
LeBron James can control both sides of the floor in a phenomenal fashion, which has been noted numerous times since the playoffs.
So, in summary, LeBron James is freaking beast.
