Charles Barkley has clearly stated his expectations for the US men’s basketball team.
The iconic NBA figure is hoping to see Team USA come back from the Paris Olympics with the gold medal. Barkley was so firm in his stance that he suggested that if the team fails to meet his expectations, they might as well pick a different country to represent.
“Listen, if they lose, we can’t let them back in the country,” Barkley remarked during a recent guest spot on Paul George’s “P Podcast.” “We can’t. I’ll tell them. You can’t come back.”
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February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio: NBA legend Charles Barkley is recognized for being chosen for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Barkley, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was part of the U.S. men’s national basketball team during the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, famously known as the “Dream Team.” He also helped Team USA win gold again on home soil in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Many fans have drawn parallels between the upcoming 2024 U.S. men’s basketball team and the illustrious 1992 squad, which included basketball legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Patrick Ewing.
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This year’s roster is spearheaded by four-time NBA champion LeBron James and includes NBA MVP Kevin Durant from 2014, Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, and emerging star Anthony Edwards, among others.
Basketball: 1996 Summer Olympics: USA Charles Barkley triumphant with medals after winning Men’s Gold Medal Game against Yugoslavia at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta, GA. 8/3/1996 (Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Team USA took a significant step toward their goal by defeating Brazil in the quarterfinals. They will face Serbia on August 8.
Following their bronze medal finish in Athens, the men’s basketball team rebounded strongly, securing victories in their next four competitions held in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo.
Leo Meindl of Team Brazil and LeBron James of Team United States in action during the Men’s Quarterfinal match between Team Brazil and Team United States on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Bercy Arena on August 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages)
The American squad will face tough competition this summer if they aim to secure the gold medal. Barkley recognizes the challenges that lie ahead but remains confident that the US should take home the top prize.
Kevin Durant of the United States reacts during the Men’s Basketball Quarterfinal match between Brazil and the United States of America on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
“Have international teams improved? Absolutely,” Barkley acknowledged. “However, they’re still not on the same level as the United States. Without Joker (Nikola Jokic), Giannis (Antetokounmpo), and Luka (Doncic), we still have the top ten players to choose from in every game.”
Barkley also commended the depth of Team USA.
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“No one off the bench comes close to Jayson Tatum,” Barkley noted. Tatum, who earned All-NBA First Team honors last season, played a pivotal role in the Boston Celtics’ title win in June.
“No one off the bench is as good as Kevin Durant,” he added. “International teams have certainly improved, but there’s no reason for the United States not to take home the gold medal. We have the best team and the best players by a wide margin.”
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