LeBron James unsure if he'll play for Team USA in 2016
LeBron James had his 2012 get that much sweeter when he and Team USA captured the gold medal on Sunday.
It's LeBron's second Olympic gold medal, and for him that might be good enough. LeBron is already hinting that he might not be willing to chase after Olympic gold for a third-straight time four years from now in Rio de Janeiro.
"It’s been a great run honestly. I don’t know if I’m going to be part of the 2016 team," he said, per USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt.
The London Games have already been LeBron's third Olympics. A lot of people might not realize he was part of that disastrous 2004 squad in Athens we're all trying to forget about.
A third Olympic gold medal is unprecedented in men's basketball and begins to infringe on Lisa Leslie's record of four. If LeBron sits out, Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony can always get there, should they return.
LeBron will be 31 when the cauldron is lit in Rio. Not too old. But not so young where running court for an extra month in the offseason isn't entirely taxing. It's possible he could still commit and have a scaled back role, much like the 33-year-old Kobe Bryant did this year.
He might be undecided now, but we'll see what LeBron thinks four years from now when the opportunity of once again having Olympic glory comes knocking on his door.
Photo: Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
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11 Comments:
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the main reason La Queen Jane will not play in 2016 is because he will be retired because of age.He should be about 45yrs old.If these so-called Americans want to play for their country,they shouldpay for all the expenses,plane fare ,room and board,going to see the other events,etc,been that they are millionares and the taxpayer should"nt have to pay for these pros to have another vacation.If its for their country let them pay the way and I bet they would all decline.Let the college players that are drafted in the top 20,represent the USA.
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1. The USOC is a non profit entity. The government (and taxpayer dollars) have nothing to do with it.
2. LeBron James is 27 years old.
Try looking things up in a book or a search engine before you open your mouth or start typing.
"The United States Olympic Committee is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation supported by generous Americans and American companies. Unlike many other nations, the United States Olympic Committee does not receive direct federal funding for athlete programs. The support of Americans, like you, makes a difference in the quality of services we provide Team USA. This support is directly dependent upon the generosity of individuals like you."
I trust you can add 4 to 27 by yourself, and conclude that it is less than 45.
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I see that you are one of those that think La Queen Jane walks on water.Either you re from Ohio where the water makes him look 40 or you bought into his flight to Miami,with the 3 Amigos.I for one would not and will not support pros in the Olympics.Jim Thrope,one of the greatest was denied his medals because he played sandlot baseball.Let the college players,play instead of these pros,they earned it.
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That's certainly your prerogative, however your assumptions about my opinion of LBJ are baseless. I'm not a fan. I do however prefer facts over nonsense. People age differently. LBJ has been subject to intense scrutiny since his teens. If there were legit questions about his age, they'd have been investigated and reported on a long time ago.
Yep, NBA players are highly paid (absurdly so at the top end). On the other hand, you could consider the notion that as a collective group the players are not netting a fair revenue share relative to ownership.
That strays from the subject of pro athletes competing in the Olympics, however. And Team USA basketball (mens and womens) has made it pretty clear some kind of leveling of the playing field is called for.
But I don't think David Stern's mafia-esque approach to fleecing FIBA and the IOC is the right approach. Nor are age limits. Its too arbitrary.
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Lefthook...... chico must not follow records or basketball or even Lebron James for that matter. And if he does, Im sure he falls from every stupid branch there is while watching the game upside down with his eyes crossed!!!
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I guess you don't understand economic of sports. You are correct these are millionaire athletes who have a short life span. Every time they step on the court they are both risking a chance of career ending injury, and working for free! The US uses there images for advertisement and they receive no compensation or little compensation relative to what they could should they chose to not to play in the Olympics. Finally, this country gets to win the Gold which is worth its weight in PR and advertisement dollars.
They don't get a free vacation they actually give up valuable services for their country. As such, the cost of the rooms, tickets, etc is far less than what our Olympic program receives in return. -
I still that La Queen Jane is one of the most over-rated wannabe basketball players that has ever been born.He comes into the league at 19yrs old,already looking 30yrs old.He has played 9yrs,won 1 MVP,the sportswritters took the 2nd,from Durant and gave it to La Queen Jane.The Heat were given the NBA title by having the refs in their back-pocket.Just look at the foul stats,just on the starting 5,of the Heat compared to the starting 5 of the opponet.He wore a shirt labeled,Earned not Given,which is a joke.Morans call him (king james) because he makes 2 out of 20 shots from 10ft,which even the womens team do.He is and will be nothing but a showboat,buying the sportswritters so he can get more hardware,will never be as good as MJ,King Kobe,Magic,Bird and several others that were players.Unless the Heat pay the refs again,they will not win another title.He is not losing his hair because he is 27!!
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You clearly dont know crap about Basketball or Lebron James. Just a prick sitting behind a computer screen throwing up on yourself!!! Lebron broke so many records this year and you say he is over-rated!!! Stop talking, you are only making yourself look like an idiot!!!
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You make me laugh.La Queen Jane has free rein on he court because the refs are afraid to call fouls on him.I don"t know if he sent them autographed cards or what but if the refs really did their jobs this wannabe would foul out in the first half of every game.He is allowed to push the defender off with his left arm and nothing is called.He is allowed his kangaroo hop which is about 4 steps and is neer called for traveling.By the way ,are you from Ohio or do you wear La Queen Jane shorts?
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Lefthook, If LeBron James had a son, he would look like Morgan Freeman!!..
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You got that right,bro!!
