When news broke that LeBron James would be the U.S. flag bearer in the 2024 Olympics, it probably should have been a proud moment for the NBA world. After all, the Los Angeles Lakers star, at 39 and after 20 seasons in the NBA, became the first men's basketball player to capture that honor.
However, it was met with divisive responses, with some saying LeBron didn't deserve it. Media personality Dan Le Batard recently argued that people have taken James for granted and would be more emotional about him carrying the American flag if they were as nice to him as they are to Michael Jordan .
"I don't think we understand how unfair we've been to excellence during an era over the last 20 years," Le Batard said . "Social media mocking people, he was always chasing Michael, always chasing Michael. To see him holding that American flag, and that flag means something different than it did 20 years ago, but the thing holding it doesn't. It's still excellence for 20 years — today's [Muhammad] Ali."
Chasing MJ?
According to the former Miami Herald writer, some folks could not appreciate James' achievements, including wearing the white coat he donned during the Olympics opening, because he is unfairly held to a standard that Michael Jordan established and not even seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady could exceed.
"You know how hard it is to tackle Michael Jordan as America's ultimate winner?" Le Batard continued . "Not even Brady could do it because he wasn't first. We have watched for 20 years somebody who holds that American flag in the middle of the Olympics. ... We don't treat Team USA this way. We don't treat any more than what it is that we're watching of this team and make it feel like it did when it was Jordan and [Charles] Barkley."
"But imagine Michael Jordan at the end of everything, not shooting jumpers for the [Washington] Wizards, older than any athlete out there and still deserving of holding the flag. How emotional you would have been watching it because you're so much nicer to him," Dan concluded.
It's difficult to point out what exactly Le Batard is getting to with his rant. However, some social media users have pointed out that Jordan probably would have had the opportunity to be America's flag bearer had he not been retired and chosen to suit up for the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.
Perhaps fans would have expressed the emotion Le Batard had been looking for if MJ also carried the flag more than 20 years ago, considering the impact the Chicago Bulls legend had in bringing basketball to the global community throughout his career. He even attracted fans worldwide when he played in the 1984 and 1992 Olympics.
Related: "The Olympics are a business" - Mark Cuban reiterates his stance that NBA players shouldn't participate in the Olympics
Like Ali?
Even Le Batard's comparison of James to Ali has drawn negative reactions. Some people have contended that LeBron's activism and off-the-court activities can't compare to the late legendary boxer's fight for social justice, religious freedom, and convictions, even in the face of adversity and possible imprisonment.
If the podcast host had just wanted to defend the four-time NBA MVP's legacy, he probably should have steered clear of bringing up the names of other iconic athletes. As it is, he may have invited more criticism toward James.
Still, it's hard to ignore what LeBron has accomplished and contributed to basketball, especially if you look at them without comparing him to Jordan and other influential figures. Maybe the sports world will appreciate the future Hall of Famer more after he decides to retire, which is likely to happen in a few years.
Related: "Trashes America and disrespects the flag" - Enes Freedom takes offense at LeBron James being the U.S. flag bearer
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