The United States team, widely considered the most successful in international competition, has wowed everyone with their performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Featuring top players such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, they won five exhibition games and their first game against Serbia. However, former Olympian and NBA player Carmelo Anthony, who had a 19-season career in the NBA, believes that Team USA is up against much stronger competition than he faced during his time at the Olympics
Anthony, who recently made some bold comments about Jayson Tatum, recently discussed the increased competition for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics on an episode of the Point Forward podcast.
Carmelo Anthony says his Olympics were easy compared to this year in Paris:
“International players damn-a** taking over the league. So now we gotta put our Avengers together to take on these other countries.”
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— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 31, 2024
“It was so … I don’t wanna say easy, but it was so easy! It was so easy for me. I’m like, I got slow-ass footing, I got heavy legs, and I got f***ing CP3, Jason Kidd. I got Bron on this wing, Kobe on this wing — I got D-Wade coming off the bench. I got KD over here. I got Dwight Howard in the paint. I got Chris Bosh.” Anthony said.
Anthony had a successful career in the NBA as well as in international competitions. He represented his country four times in international competitions and earned one bronze and three gold medals throughout his journey.
Anthony Breaks Down the Global Surge in Basketball Talent
The former NBA player discussed the expanding international game and the dominance of players from around the world in the league. The ten-time NBA All-Star also compared the current USA men’s national basketball team to the Dream Team of 1992.
“Ratings-wise…this [USA Team] would be like the ’92 Olympics when Jordan and ’em went to Barcelona. The hype that had this hype would be for this Olympics cuz…the international game has grown, and global players damn near have taken over the league.” Anthony added
In 2004, Anthony was chosen to compete for Team USA in the Olympics alongside players such as Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson, and Stephon Marbury. In addition, the six-time NBA All-Team member was selected to serve as Team USA’s co-captain at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
James, Wade, and Kobe Bryant were among Anthony’s outstanding teammates during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Anthony last competed for Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he shared the title of co-USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year with Kevin Durant.
