"All-time drama king" - Skip Bayless ridicules LeBron James following USA veteran's silly moment vs Brazil 

LeBron James and Team USA steamrolled Brazil 122-87 during Tuesday's 2024 Paris Olympic quarterfinal clash. James was forced to exit the contest early after suffering a blow to his left eye, later returning to the bench. However, renowned James critic Skip Bayless didn't buy the injury, instead chalking it up to the superstar forward engaging in theatrics.

After Brazil hung around early, Team USA closed the first half on a 21-2 run to take a 63-36 halftime lead. However, as the Americans continued coasting to victory in the second half, they encountered an unexpected hiccup.

While trying to secure a rebound midway through the third quarter, James caught an elbow to his left eye from Brazil’s Georginho de Paula. After falling to the floor and pressing a towel against his eye, he headed to the locker room later in the quarter.

James ultimately returned to Team USA's bench in the game's final minutes. Amid cheers for French swimmer Leon Marchand, the four-time NBA MVP air-crowned himself, seemingly thinking fans were chanting his name.

American coach Steve Kerr said James received four stitches for his injury. Nonetheless, Bayless promptly posted a video on X/Twitter expressing skepticism about the severity of his injury. Bayless also backhandedly praised James for attempting to inject excitement into his squad's blowout victory.

"Man, I love LeBron James. He is the all-time drama king," Bayless said. "He has saved so many boring games by a new subplot or backstory or new narrative that I didn't see coming. Today against Brazil was classic. They didn't belong in this game, it was a complete mismatch, and who saved the day? Who brought the new narrative?

"LeBron, I think he got hit in the face in the third quarter? I couldn't see it. They didn't have a good replay. He goes down. Then he goes all the way down on the floor and I'm thinking, 'God, is he really hurt?' Then he goes to the locker room, and he's gone for most of the second half till near the end of the game.

"He makes a triumphant re-entry into the arena. Huge standing ovation. He crowns himself, and I'm saying, 'Thank you, God, for LeBron James,'" he continued.

James finished with 12 points, three rebounds, a team-best nine assists and three steals, shooting 83.3% over 17 minutes.

Team USA next takes on three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia in Thursday's semifinals, a team it handily defeated 110-84 during group play.

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Skip Bayless predicts LeBron James to win Olympic MVP

While Skip Bayless appeared skeptical about whether LeBron James actually suffered an injury against Brazil, he later lavished praise on the four-time NBA champion.

Bayless concluded his rant by predicting James will take home this year's FIBA Summer Olympics MVP award. Bayless noted that James has gained a considerable lead over his co-star Kevin Durant, who won the award at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"He's going to win the MVP," Bayless said. "He is now positioned, because Kevin Durant had two quiet games, to do nothing but run away with MVP."

Some may argue that Bayless is setting James up for more criticism if he fails to meet his expectations. Nonetheless, the two-time Olympic gold medalist has consistently delivered well-rounded production this summer.

Through four group phase and knockout-round games, James is averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting a blistering 67.6%. He ranks third on Team USA in scoring and rebounding, and first in assists.

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