Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James; Who is the Greatest Olympics Basketball Player of All Time?

By Regin Anthony Salo Olimberio, CP Contributor Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Any sports enthusiasts are well aware of what "Dream Team" is. It is still connected to the USA men's basketball team. The afterthought after Rio Games is who among the ultra-elite members is considered the greatest. Here are the standouts who played under the stripes and stars.

Elite players

The list was made with consideration not only in stats but a general contribution to the amateur games as well. It is to be submitted here in no particular order nor ranking.

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Carmelo Anthony

The New York Knicks playmaker is known to be self-centered in NBA. He will carry the ball from across the court and try the basket even with slim openings. He will also deny the ball to teammates and prefers slashing to the inside. In the Olympics however, Carmelo Anthony displays another persona. The recent Rio Games saw Anthony proving that he can pass the ball when there are better chances into actually making them.

Anthony piled a total of 37 points against Nigeria in 2012, the most made by any Olympics player. In terms of average, Rio is the best so far with 16.2 points per game. Anthony have four Olympics medals (three gold results).

LeBron James

The only blemish in LeBron James' Olympic record is the 2004 edition when he ended the game with Bronze. Team USA was pounded by Argentina's Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and other NBA-level talents. He was able to redeem himself in the next four years when team USA stormed the London Games.

James heads the pack of NBA pros turned-amateur consisting of Kobe Bryant, Russel Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Anthony. The gold medal round looked more like a walk in the park with James stats in points per game ballooning to 15. He also led the team in assists average.

Michael Jordan

"His Airness" made his Olympic debut in 1988 when there was a prohibition for pros to join the FIBA sanctioned games. Michael Jordan and then-amateur talents to include Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin. Jordan will then lead with 17 points per game, 3 rebounds and 2 on both assists and steals.

Then in 1992, the original "Dream Team" was formed. The prohibition was lifted and NBA players were allowed to participate in the Olympics. Jordan will pile 15 points per game while leading the most talent-laden team the planet has ever seen. He is to forefront a team of basically legends and no USA team ever came close in description. 1992 Dream Team sports the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, David Robinson, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley and others.