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LeBron James told reporters he was spending more time with his wife Savannah James and their kids after his 2023-24 NBA campaign ended. Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray’s jumper late in Game 5 sent the LA Lakers on vacation. James was non-committal then about his Lakers future but said that he was excited to play for Team USA for the Paris Olympics.
Just over two months since losing to the Nuggets in the playoffs, the four-time MVP is diving headfirst into the quadrennial event. He was spotted meeting his fellow superstar teammates in Las Vegas for the opening of training camp. James looked fresh and ready to lead the Americans in the competition.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps had this to say about James’ participation in the said event:
“LeBron James said once he got clearance from his wife to give up his summer to play for Team USA, he was all in on the experience."
The LA Lakers star last played for Team USA in basketball in the 2012 London Olympics, leading the Americans to victory. Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, two of his teammates during that run, are also back for this year’s tour of duty.
Since 2012, James has been prioritizing his summer to rest and to give way to some of the rising stars to represent USA basketball. The fourth-place finish of the Americans in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, however, prompted the four-time champ to commit again to international basketball.
Once the dust settled at the FIBA tournament, LeBron James reportedly called Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and others to get the same commitment. The Americans will be huge favorites to defend the gold they won in Japan with the roster that James helped assemble.
LeBron James and Team USA excited to meet up to begin training camp
On Saturday, LeBron James and Team USA met for the first time in Las Vegas. As expected, there was excitement and energy when the superstars finally got together along with the coaches.
James and Kevin Durant repeatedly mentioned “Back at it” to each other, knowing this would be another rodeo together in the Olympics. Perhaps the most highly expected conversation was between “King James” and Steph Curry.
LeBron James asked the Golden State Warriors point guard:
“About time? About time?”
Curry giddily answered that it was indeed about time. The two have never played together as teammates outside of the All-Star game. This will be their first competition with nothing less than an Olympic gold medal at stake.
LeBron James’ chemistry with Anthony Davis was evident right off the bat. James hilariously told AD he wanted a good summer but couldn’t get it with Davis in the lineup.
James is “all in” on the Team USA experience that has gotten underway with a four-day training. They will meet the Canadians on Wednesday for their first tune-up game.
