Carmelo Anthony excludes Michael Jordan from the best all-time Team USA lineup

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games witnessed one of the best FIBA basketball games in history with the semifinal between the United States and Serbia. The North American team, led by Stephen Curry, managed to come back and reach the final for the gold medal. Seizing this opportunity, Carmelo Anthony has wanted to create what he considers the best lineup in the history of the Team USA, leaving out Michael Jordan.

In a recent interview with BasketNews, the former NBA player and Team USA legend revealed his all-time ideal lineup of American basketball. Anthony's lineup includes himself, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and Charles Barkley.

Each of these players has left an indelible mark on basketball history, both in the NBA and in international competitions. However, the exclusion of Jordan has raised eyebrows and sparked debate within the sports community.

Anthony, who has won three Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012, 2016) and one bronze (2004), justified his selection by arguing that his focus was more on those players who have had a remarkable career in FIBA competitions, not just the Olympics. "Michael Jordan would be that [fifth player], but for the United States, I would put Barkley," Anthony explained.

The Reason for Excluding Michael Jordan

"What he [Jordan] did with the '92 team, that would never be done again," acknowledged Anthony, referring to the Dream Team of Barcelona, considered by many as the best basketball team ever assembled. However, according to Anthony, the fact that Jordan only played in one edition of the Olympics under current rules was enough to tilt the balance in favor of Barkley, who was also part of that legendary team but, in Anthony's view, had greater relevance in the context of FIBA basketball.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Carmelo Anthony excluye a Michael Jordan del mejor quinteto de la historia del Team USA