LeBron James may have secured Olympic gold with Team USA at the Paris Games, but a moment during the tournament left a lasting impression—and not necessarily in a way he’d prefer. During the intense gold medal game, French forward Guerschon Yabusele delivered a powerful dunk over the Los Angeles Lakers star, narrowing the point gap and creating a highlight that would soon go viral. The moment became so iconic that a dedicated NBA 2K player decided to immortalize it in the popular video game, recreating the exact play with impressive detail.
This unexpected moment from the Olympics, where one of basketball’s greatest players found himself on the wrong side of a highlight reel, has since made waves online. A video surfaced showing the dunk reimagined in NBA 2K, capturing the essence of the real-life play with stunning accuracy. The recreation spread rapidly across social media, fueling widespread amusement and discussion among fans and players alike.
Looking back, this significant play might have contributed to Guerschon Yabusele’s return to the NBA. After being selected as the 16th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in 2016, Yabusele’s career in the league was short-lived. He struggled to make a significant impact and eventually took his talents overseas, where he found success with Real Madrid, even winning a Euroleague championship. However, after his standout performance at the Olympics, which included the memorable dunk over James, Yabusele caught the attention of the Philadelphia 76ers, leading to a one-year, $2.1 million contract. His ability to perform on the international stage, especially alongside stars like Victor Wembanyama, likely played a role in his NBA return.
Meanwhile, LeBron James and the Lakers are entering the upcoming season with questions looming over their roster. James, now 40, signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract, allowing the team some flexibility in acquiring players to strengthen their defense. Despite this, the Lakers have made minimal moves, aside from drafting Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, and bringing in JJ Redick as head coach. With the Western Conference only getting tougher, there are concerns about whether the current Lakers roster has what it takes to compete for a championship.
As the season approaches, the big question remains: Can LeBron James, with a less-than-ideal supporting cast, lead the Lakers to another title? While his Olympic blunder may have provided a moment of levity for fans, it also underscores the challenges that lie ahead for one of the NBA’s all-time greats as he looks to add one more championship to his legacy.
phlip Iorhen 
Nilsson K