(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Team USA might be filled with explosive, iconic, and legendary NBA stars next summer.
After a painful defeat at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, there have been rumors of players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Anthony Davis all wanting to suit up for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
But Stephen A. Smith wants to pump the brakes on the concept of Davis playing for Team USA in 2024.
Speaking on “First Take,” Smith said he doesn’t want to risk Davis playing in the Olympics because he should be focused solely on playing for the Lakers.
“I don’t want to hear nothing about no damn Anthony Davis representing Team USA. … I need to make sure he’s going to show up for Lakers games,” Smith said.
.@stephenasmith reacts to Anthony Davis showing interest in participating for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics in Paris
“I don’t want to hear nothing about no damn Anthony Davis representing Team USA. … I need to make sure he’s going to show up for Lakers games.” pic.twitter.com/rweJKaBc3x
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 11, 2023
Smith commended Davis and said that he’s a superstar with legitimate talent.
But he called Davis a “roller coaster” and said that he is painfully inconsistent at times – and he also still suffers his fair share of injuries.
Instead of trying to win gold for his national team, Davis should be dedicated to remaining healthy and able to play all season long for the Lakers.
Many other Lakers fans will definitely be echoing Smith’s sentiment.
Davis played 56 games in the 2022-23 season, his most since 2020.
He was dominant for most of those games and secured an impressive 25.9-point, 12.5-rebound average.
He was looking like vintage Davis for much of the season, although he was still hurt occasionally and also had some lackluster games when the team needed him.
Playing for Team USA is a major honor and one that Davis would jump at.
But is that really a smart idea or should he root for the team from home and prepare for the season ahead of him?
The post Stephen A. Smith Is Strongly Against 1 NBA Star Playing For Team USA appeared first on The Cold Wire.