2016 Rio Olympics: Team USA’s DeAndre Jordan Says Gold Medal is More Important than NBA Championship Title

DeAndre Jordan
DeAndre Jordan (USA) of the USA pulls in a rebound over David Andersen (AUS) of Australia.  REUTERS/Mike Ehrmann/Pool

DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers has claimed that winning gold medals at the Olympics should be regarded as more honorable than getting an NBA championship ring. The athlete made the statement earlier this week after Team USA prepares for its quarterfinal match against Argentina at the Rio Olympics.

According to the Clippers center, the basketball community should change the way it views the achievement of players. As noted by Jordan, being able to take home the gold at international events such as the Olympics is more special than national championships.

"I think they're above NBA rings," he told ESPN. "I may get in trouble for saying that, but I believe that. I feel like this is more special. You're not just playing teams in the U.S. You're playing teams from all over the world. And this is even more special because there's an NBA champion crowned every year, but this is every four years."

The debate surrounding NBA rings and Olympic medals started after Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, whose also on Team USA, came closer to taking home his third gold medal at the Olympics. If this happens, he would be the first U.S. Olympian to win three gold medals in men's basketball, according to CBS Sports.

Like Jordan, Anthony has not yet won an NBA ring, unlike their Team USA teammates Kyrie Irving and Daymond Green. Still though, Anthony believes that being an accomplished Olympian outweighs being an NBA champion.

For him, even though he never gets the chance to get an NBA ring, he's happy with his Olympic gold medals.

"Most athletes don't have an opportunity to say that they won a gold medal, better yet three gold medals," he said. "I would be very happy walking away from the game knowing that I've given the game everything I have, knowing I played on a high level at every level: high school, college, and possibly three gold medals."

"I can look back on it when my career is over - If I don't have an NBA championship ring - and say I had a great career," he added.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.