We’ve already seen in USA’s first game how LeBron James has a sway over the officials. The same thing happened again after Anthony Davis was penalized for a foul during the South Sudan game. And this time LeBron did not come alone to the protest party! He had backup.

As the camera focused on the game official, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant swarmed him, almost dominating an Olympic referee. The legendary NBA stars were pleading their case to the official after Anthony Davis’ elbow rammed into Wenyen Gabriel’s abdomen. Davis was done with the call. He was visibly frustrated, shaking his head, smiling out of disbelief, because for Davis, it was an “accident”. For him, it was just him trying to move to one side to shoot.

Full Video:

Noah Eagle on CNBC commentary pointed out the generational picture and on Live broadcast, “Think about the four players right there that are pleading to Takaki Kato, a 10-year FIBA veteran. You’ve got Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and LeBron James, all on the 75th anniversary team, trying to tell you that your call is incorrect.” That didn’t really matter after all as Team USA sailed home with a 103-86 win. Sure, Curry was awful, Anthony Edwards was far from his best and Even LeBron James found it hard to get going with his 6 turnovers. But it was about sending a message that these guys are not here to mess around. And boy didn’t they send it loud and clear to the officials.

Officiating in the 2024 Paris Olympics created quite a stir after the France and Japan game due to some dodgy decisions. Incidentally, that was surrounding Anthony Davis’ Lakers teammate, Rui Hachimura. So Team USA’s mass complaining against officials is bound to raise further questions about FIBA’s officiating. But that wasn’t enough to distract the keen gaze of die-hard LeBron critic, Skip Bayless as he tore into LBJ and Steph’s off day on the hardwood.