LeBron James was all smiles on Wednesday after leading Team USA to another victory in the 2024 Olympic Games. This time, Bam Adebayo delivered his best performance of the summer, prompting James to praise his teammate and call him the “new Splash Brother” after Adebayo shot 2-3 from beyond the arc.
“The new Splash Brother!” exclaimed James, who contributed 12 points. “Bam Bam Splash!”
Team USA secured an impressive victory over Serbia in their first official game of the Paris Olympic Games and followed it up with a 103-86 win over South Sudan, maintaining a perfect 2-0 record in the tournament.
South Sudan had previously given the U.S. a scare during exhibition games, with LeBron James needing a miracle layup to clinch the first match. However, this time around, the results were different thanks to LeBron and the new Splash Brother.
The term “Splash Brothers” traditionally refers to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, known for their incredible shooting and scoring ability. With his recent performances, Bam Adebayo might soon be associated with this iconic nickname.
Adebayo led all scorers for the U.S. with 18 points on 8-10 shooting, consistently making big shots throughout the night. Although not an original addition to the Olympic roster, he’s become a valuable asset, enhancing the team’s frontcourt and adding versatility.
Bam’s standout performance came as he replaced Joel Embiid, who was unexpectedly left out of the rotation following a 4-point game against Serbia.
Jayson Tatum also made his first start this summer after controversy surrounded his benching against Serbia. Unfortunately, he didn’t make a strong case for extended minutes, scoring just 4 points on 2-4 shooting.
Team USA boasts arguably its most talent-stacked roster ever, featuring LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday. Their depth and talent make them heavy favorites to win the gold.
Following their latest victory, Team USA prepares to face Puerto Rico in the Group C bracket. With Jose Alvarado being Puerto Rico’s only NBA-level player, the U.S. is expected to secure another decisive win.
However, with strong teams like Germany, Canada, and France each featuring their own superstars, upsets remain possible. At 39 years old, LeBron James is giving his all to ensure the U.S. triumphs, but he cannot do it alone.
The hope is that with stars like Curry, Durant, and Adebayo, Team USA will have enough firepower to overcome any challenge. However, they will need patience, chemistry, and a solid game plan to minimize the chances of a loss.
Even at 2-0, and with much of the tournament left to play, LeBron James remains confident that they can bring home the gold, reestablishing the United States as the pinnacle of basketball excellence worldwide.
