NBA stars Paul George and Trae Young recently shared their differing opinions on who was the key factor in Team USA's 95-91 victory over Serbia in the Olympic semifinals. During the latest episode of George's podcast, 'Podcast P with Paul George' , the two players delved into a discussion about the thrilling game, highlighting the standout performances of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid.
Paul George: "Bron. And I'm not taking no credit away from what Steph did. His 34, 36, if he doesn't do that, we lose. You know what I mean? So like everybody, I'm not saying Steph wasn't a big factor in that game either. Nor was KD. I'm not saying KD wasn't."
"But Bron, like, I think Bron took it as the initiative of like, we not losing this game. Like, Steph, I need you to do you, right? I'm gonna get you to rock. KD had his moments of like, all right, like I'm gonna put this motherf***er away."
"I thought what Bron did with his downhill attacks late in the game, him just managing the game, right? When he was coming back, game was close. You saw him getting steam. And then the moments of him wanting that match up with Joker, like he was doing everything he could to try to get guys to rotate so he can take Joker."
Trae Young: "I think you made great points, but if you look at it, Steph had 36, but he also had 8 rebounds. I mean, Bron had an acquired triple-double, and he also managed the game at the end."
"And he made some loud moments at the end, but if Steph didn't have 17 in the first quarter, they would have been down 20-plus.
Paul George: " If Joel didn't go and get some of those baskets and some of those blocks and challenging Joker at the rim and if his presence wasn't on that floor either we lose."
Trae Young: " But that's that's where I put him and Bron on that 2A to 2B level And Steph is the one. because obviously they both had big moments brawn and Joel But Joel had it later in the game He had some big-time defensive plays like you said, but Steph was doing it the whole game."
Paul George: "Watching the game, bro, like, I don't know. I felt cheesy, because I was like getting chills and s**t. It was a good, it was awesome. It was like, damn, like, it was that moment of like, damn, like, this is what, like, I'm proud to be an American."
Paul George was adamant that LeBron James played the most crucial role in the victory. He praised LeBron's leadership and his ability to take control of the game during critical moments. George pointed out how LeBron's relentless attacks, game management, and defensive efforts, particularly his matchups with Nikola Jokic, were pivotal in steering Team USA toward victory.
However, Trae Young had a different perspective. While he acknowledged LeBron's contributions, Young argued that Stephen Curry was the true game-changer for Team USA. According to Young, Curry's explosive start, where he scored 17 points in the first quarter, kept Team USA within striking distance. He highlighted that Curry's scoring was consistent throughout the game, and he also made critical plays in the clutch, including the go-ahead three-pointer and a crucial steal that helped seal the victory.
Young's argument underscores the importance of Curry's all-around performance, not just in scoring but in his overall impact on the game. While LeBron's late-game heroics were vital, Young believes that without Curry's early and sustained contributions, Team USA would not have been in a position to mount a comeback.
Both George and Young agreed that Joel Embiid's defensive efforts were also significant, particularly his ability to challenge Jokic at the rim. However, their disagreement on who was the primary factor in the victory reflects the complexity of a game where multiple players made critical contributions.
Stephen Curry finished the game with an impressive 36 points, shooting 9-of-14 from three-point range, and added 8 rebounds. LeBron James , on the other hand, showcased his all-around brilliance by recording a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Ultimately, this debate highlights the depth of talent on Team USA and the different ways in which superstars can influence a game. While George sees LeBron's leadership as the deciding factor, Young views Curry's consistent excellence as the key to the win. Regardless of who was the most important, it's clear that this game was a collective effort by some of the greatest players in the world, each stepping up when it mattered most.
Related: Pictures Show The Difference In How Serbia And Team USA Respect Their National Anthem
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