 |
| DeAndre Jordan and Kyrie Irving (USA) (Image from FIBA) |
USA players have been asked the question before, whether winning an NBA title or an Olympic gold medal is a greater and more significant achievement.
LeBron James, before he reached the top of the podium at the Beijing Games in 2008, made his position very clear.
"This is bigger," James said ahead of the title showdown against Spain. "Being a part of the game (Gold Medal Game) on Sunday is the biggest thing for me, ever.
"When I got to the (2007 NBA) Finals, I thought that was big. But winning an NBA championship would never compare to winning a gold medal for my country."
Up at #TFB - @TyDButler doesn't really buy DeAndre Jordan saying a gold medal is better than an NBA title. #Clippers https://t.co/ISs1uCuSIi— Today's Fastbreak (@TodaysFastbreak) August 19, 2016
DeAndre Jordan, a center on the USA team that is unbeaten at the Rio de Janeiro Games, is unequivocal on the subject .
"I think they're (gold medals) above NBA rings," Jordan said to ESPN. "I may get in trouble for saying that, but I believe that. I feel like this is more special. You're not just playing teams in the US. You're playing teams from all over the world.
"And this is even more special because there's an NBA champion crowned every year, but this is every four years. You've got to really think about that, man, because it's extremely special."
Krusty Sox Sports: Stephen A. Smith Trashed DeAndre Jordan For Saying A Gold Medal Means More Than An NBA Title https://t.co/8u3N309ovH— Fred Sox (@greatmonkeysuit) August 18, 2016
2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP Kyrie Irving puts winning an Olympic gold right up there with the NBA championship.
Irving and James won the NBA Finals with Cleveland in June.
On Wednesday, Irving took a step closer to winning the Olympic crown when the USA won against Argentina, 105-78, in their Quarter-Final.
Which does he value more? He went on Snapchat to explain his position.
Irving said: "There was a statement released earlier that I thought that an NBA championship and a gold medal were the same thing. What's great about that is that it's in my opinion. Meaning that I personally feel that way.”
"It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about it. I do know that the journeys are different between getting a gold medal and winning an NBA championship. The competition is different.”
"There are a lot of things that factor (into it). In terms of the feeling and the accomplishment, in my opinion, for me, they're almost the same. Because neither one is guaranteed. There’s no guarantee that we’re gonna win a gold medal. There's no guarantee going into the season that you’re going to win an NBA championship."
@JADubin5 @JaR45 Olympic medal is not the pinnacle of basketball, though. NBA title is. World Cup is the pinnacle in soccer— Nick Metallinos (@NickMetallinos) June 22, 2016
"So, for me, I appreciate the journey and the reward… And I've lived my way on my terms. And I will continue to do so. It's funny to see all the different opinions and thoughts on it. But for me personally, it's an accomplishment that I will remember for the rest of my life if it happens."
What is not up for debate is that the players in the USA team are enjoying the Olympics.
After their convincing performance against Argentina, Kevin Durant, an Olympic gold medal winner in London four years ago, took note of the special atmosphere in international basketball.
"You could tell out there tonight Argentina and their fans, their pride for their country was on another level," he said. "And then you hear our fans right behind them. To hear them chanting U-S-A, it gave me chills."
FOR MORE ON THE 2016 RIO OLYMPICS, CHECK THIS OUT!
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ON TWITTER: @hoopnut
LIKE OUR FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK, TOO!
Tweet
1 Comment
both titles give you immortality, but what is unique about olympics is that winners of world cups, world title holders, best of the best in a sport discipline REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY, what could be more satisfying than that, as if your going into war, your fighting for your own country. NBA on the other hand represent how powerful USA is, as he has a collection of best basketball players around the world, Dellavedova, Ginobili, Parker, Bogut etc. are examples from another country winning NBA titles of their own. Remove them from their rosters, and that would be another story for their teams, even jordan has teammates from another country to able to win NBA titles. Remember USA lost to Argentina one time in the olympics, and that was a shame for them for they could not win the gold.
Balas