After Team USA’s gold medal win over the hometown French squad in men’s basketball over the weekend, ESPN jumped into action the only way it knows how.
To tip off the morning on Get Up, host Mike Greenberg and his panel immediately began debating where Steph Curry’s performance ranked in basketball history and how the win affected LeBron James’ standing as basketball GOAT vs. the legendary Michael Jordan.
NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins began the proceedings by stating that James’ third gold medal put him over Jordan, who has only two.
“The greatest of all time,” Perkins said of James. “Greeny, I know you might not like this this morning, but he got one up on MJ right now.”
Kendrick Perkins on what LeBron James’ third gold medal means for his legacy: “The greatest of all time. Greeny, I know you might not like this this morning, but he got one up on MJ right now… he has three gold medals. MJ has two… he’s the most important player in… pic.twitter.com/qzUADbDkEv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 12, 2024
Greenberg quickly pointed out that Jordan won gold in 1984 as a collegian, outclassing Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin under head coach Bob Knight.
“Don’t get me in a bad mood, Big Perk!” Greenberg said. “I’m having a fun day.”
Mike Greenberg with a quick rebuttal of Perk proclaiming LeBron the GOAT: “Jordan as a collegiate was the best player on the ’84 team… don’t get me in a bad mood, Big Perk! I’m having a fun day.” https://t.co/vNz032eZdF pic.twitter.com/N3djq5mmOY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 12, 2024
Not to be outdone, Greenberg rebutted with his own legacy take on Curry, a four-time champion and two-time MVP.
Greenberg called Curry’s three-pointer over Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum late in Team USA’s win over France “the most memorable moment” in basketball history because of the high stakes and how it capped off a signature scoring flurry by the Warriors star.
Mike Greenberg proclaims Steph Curry’s shot to seal Team USA’s gold medal-winning victory over France the most memorable shot in basketball history.
“Team USA winning the gold medal is what is expected, so it will not be remembered the same way some of those others were. But… pic.twitter.com/bUmsD9kjsx
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 12, 2024
Greenberg doesn’t often engage in such hot takes. And maybe there’s a reason for that.
Greenberg is somehow stepping on his own defense of Jordan by copping so hard for Curry. A true Jordan defender (Greenberg worked in Chicago during the 1990s) would easily select Jordan’s championship-winner over Bryon Russell or The Shot over Craig Ehlo as the best in history.
Perkins clearly was trying to troll here by upping the ante and baiting Greenberg to fire off his own takes. It worked.
It’s also relatable that Greenberg would be so moved by Curry’s brilliance that he would get out of his comfort zone just to praise it. It was that kind of performance.
[Get Up]
