“No Damn Anthony Davis Representing Team USA”: Stephen A. Smith Reacts to LeBron James Assembling Olympic Team, Demands AD’s Absence

According to the Bleacher Report, LeBron James is currently planning to recruit the likes of Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant among a host of stars to Team USA for the 2024 Olympics. However, First Take’s Stephen A. Smith’s initial reactions to one of those names have been utterly reluctant. Smith, known to be constantly frustrated with Anthony Davis’s fitness issues, claimed that he does not want to even listen about the prospect of AD playing for Team USA. 

Team USA failed to bring home any medals at the recently concluded FIBA World Cup. Losing to Germany in the semis and Canada in the bronze medal match, another Redeem team seems to be on the horizon. James is rumored to have involved a host of stars, including the likes of Draymond Green and Jayson Tatum, in his plans for the team. 

Stephen A. Smith will not hear about potential Anthony Davis involvement with Team USA

Smith has some simple reasons for not wanting to see AD play for Redeem Team version 2. Being a LeBron James fan, Smith believes AD’s inconsistency is too big an issue for the Lakers as it is.

Furthermore, he thinks potential involvement in the Olympics will give Davis another reason to miss a few more games for the Lakers. Stephen A. Smith compared Anthony Davis to a roller-coaster, initially claiming that he plays like a superstar, but only when he brings his A-game: 

“I don’t want to hear nothing about no damn Anthony Davis representing Team USA. Wait a minute now, I need to make sure he is going to show up for Lakers games. Listen, Anthony Davis is a superstar when he brings his A-game, and when he plays. But, either he is not there half the time, or  2. You know what is really appropriate? Roller-coaster. Up and down, that’s what I call him. I don’t want to see him in no damn international competition, because that might be an excuse for him to miss another 10-20 games.”

AD’s fitness issues have been constant over recent seasons, alongside his recent inconsistency. AD believes the fact that he regularly fails to deliver alongside LeBron should be enough to warrant his absence from Team USA. 

Stephen A. Smith claimed Team USA’s World Cup exit gave credence to Noah Lyles

Stephen A. Smith had a number of reasons to be angry at Team USA’s exit from the FIBA World Cup. When Noah Lyles had initially claimed being NBA champion did not mean being world champion, Smith had ridiculed him.

However, Team USA was eventually knocked out due to what Smith called a lack of cohesiveness. He claimed that those who said International competition was different, had been proven right.

Team USA suffered due to the lack of experience, as well as a lack of depth. The former, in itself, might end up with LeBron deciding to select his Lakers teammate. As long as it is in addition to a plethora of other superstars, most fans might be happy, unlike Stephen A. Smith.