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Veteran analyst Skip Bayless has made it clear time and again that he is not the biggest fan of the 4-time NBA Champion LeBron James. His criticism of King James has been evident in the GOAT arguments with his former “Undisputed” Co-host Shannon Sharpe. After Team USA’s embarrassing exit from the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where the American squad was slammed by LeBron’s arch nemesis Dillion Brooks, the 19-time All-star showed his desire to lead Team USA to the 2024 Olympics.

The Akron Hammer is set to assemble the Redeem Team 2.0, teaming up with superstar players Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and others. But LeBron’s harshest critic ‘Ugly American’ Skip Bayless is not impressed with King James leading Team USA in the Paris Olympics.

Skip Bayless scoffs at LeBron James’ Redeem Team 2.0

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After Team USA lost to Canada in the bronze medal match of this year’s FIBA World Cup, LeBron teased the world with his Team USA return for next year’s summer Olympics in Paris. When LeBron’s intentions were discussed on FS1’s “Undisputed”, Skip did not seem too impressed with King James leading Team USA at age 40. “It’s made for him to come and save America from Rising European basketball.” Skip said, deeming himself the “Ugly American” who thinks LeBron is not the right person to lead Team USA as he will be too old by the time the 2024 Olympics start.

Skip’s co-host Keyshawn Johnson believes if LeBron James wants the NBA superstars to join him in the Paris Olympics squad, it is going to happen, “LeBron James got more juice than Steve Kerr.” European Basketball has been on the rise for many years now. Basketball Hall of Famers, including Dirk Nowitzki and Tony Parker, dominated the league in their heyday. But the impact of international basketball is even greater in today’s NBA.

The Dramatic Rise of International Basketball

The NBA MVPs in each of the last five seasons, (2019-2023) have all been international players. The Serbian Center Nikola Jokic is arguably the best basketball player in the NBA right now. He led the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA Championship and was named the Finals MVP. Other International Superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic have also dominated the league in recent years. Even the No.1 pick in this year’s NBA draft was the French Sensation Victor Wembanyama. “Europe just keeps coming and coming and coming.” Remarked Skip, talking about the rise of European Basketball in the NBA.

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“That big dude in Denver, he’s been the best player in the league the last couple of years, and he is not American” Skip said appreciating the Greatness of The Joker. Even in the FIBA World Cup, the American players could be seen struggling in the paint because of the lack of size in the Team. The best centers in the league currently are not American.

USA Today via Reuters

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The Lakers Superstar LeBron James wants to bring glory back to the USA by winning Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. If he manages to assemble the best American Players in the league to play for Team USA next year, there are not many teams in the world that will be able to challenge the Redeem Team 2.0. Even at age 40, King James is playing at an elite level and can help Team USA dominate the world with his experience and basketball IQ.

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