ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe doesn’t expect the USA basketball team to go all out at the Paris Olympics.
The NFL Hall of Famer warned the star-studded roster against complacency ahead of Sunday’s opener.
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Team USA prepares to face Serbia in Lille, France as they begin their quest for a fifth consecutive gold medal.
Steve Kerr’s talent-packed squad went 5-0 during a series of warm-up games across the world.
They needed a LeBron James masterclass to avoid an embarrassing defeat to South Sudan, winning 101-100.
And Germany put pressure on the US in London, with 39-year-old James once again providing the impetus for a comeback.
In 1992, the USA assembled an elite roster called the Dream Team, with Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.
This team scored in triple figures at every Olympic game, winning the gold medal in Barcelona, Spain.
During a recent episode of his Nightcap podcast, Sharpe was asked whether the “rest of the world is finally on the mend” following recent warming scares.
“They are reaching Ocho because they are playing [in the NBA]”, Sharpe he responded.
“You go back to the 1992 Olympics, there were only two guys away from the US players who were in the NBA.
“But you look at this year’s teams and almost every team has an NBA player.
“He can [USA] be beaten? Of course yes, it’s a game. Nothing can happen.
“Canada is full of NBA players. Germany will be a tough test.
“The USA will not beat teams like the original Dream Team [did in 1992].
“Those days are over. Those days are long, long gone.”
“Since [LeBron] is playing, they definitely have a chance,” replied a fan on X.
USA Basketball Olympic Schedule
Men
July 28, 11:15 a.m. ET – USA vs. Serbia, NBC
July 31, 3pm ET – USA vs. South Sudan, USA Network
August 3, 11:15 a.m. ET – USA vs. Puerto Rico, NBC
Women
July 29, 3pm ET, USA vs Japan, USA Network
August 1, 3 p.m. ET, USA vs. Belgium, USA Network
August 4, 11:15 a.m. ET USA vs. Germany, USA Network
“No Dawgs are going to bite this team,” said another.
Sharpe is currently enjoying a summer break from his regular job at ESPN’s First Take.
The 56-year-old recently signed a new multi-year contract with the network that will see his role expand.
Team USA begins its Olympic schedule against Serbia on Sunday, July 28.
Tip-off will be at 11:15 a.m. ET, with NBC Sports airing live coverage.
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