LeBron James still ready for Paris 2024. 12 years after his last participation in the competition, the Lakers player expressed his motivation to participate in the Olympic Games this summer.
Already titled twice, in Beijing in 2008 then London in 2012, the “king” took advantage of a press conference organized on Sunday on the sidelines of the All-Star Game to discuss this subject.
“I said, when I committed to being part of the Olympic team, that everything would obviously depend on my health,” LeBron James began.
As it stands, I'm healthy enough to be a part of the team and perform at a level that I knew I could perform at.
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Facing journalists, the player insisted on the pace imposed by such a competition and wishes to present himself at 100% of his abilities.
“The Olympic Games will be 11 games, but it’s 5 and a half weeks, and it’s a lot for my body to endure,” he continued.
If I commit, it will be totally, my whole mind, my body and my soul to be there for the American team, to represent our country.
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Read alsoOJ Paris 2024: 41 players preselected to represent Team USA at the basketball tournament
“Succeed against any team in the world”
At 39, the Los Angeles Lakers winger will be one of the team's leaders, but he already sees himself being able to count on other NBA stars present in Paris at his side.
“I'm not sure at the moment what the full team will look like, but from some of the names I know I won't need to feel any pressure and feel like I have to wear the team, he insisted.
This will be a complete team of 12 players capable of being successful both offensively and defensively on any given night against any country in the world.
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Already after the last World Cup finished in fourth place for “Team USA”, the NBA's all-time leading scorer was planning for this Olympic tournament.
So far, 41 players have already been preselected to represent Team USA in Paris.
Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard are notably part of this list which will be reduced to 12 before the Olympic Games.
The newly naturalized Joel Embiid is also pre-selected.
The end of his career “is approaching”
As for his future in the NBA, superstar left doubts about the rest of his career and a possible change of team.
“I haven't decided how many seasons I have left to play.
But I know there aren’t many left,” evaded the “King”.
“I'm a Laker, and I've been happy as a Laker for the last six years, I hope it stays that way.
But I don’t have the answer to how many seasons I have left or what jersey I will wear,” he replied.
James has the power to activate an additional year of his contract for next season, or go free this summer.
It leaves the door open to a final franchise change (after Cleveland, Miami then Cleveland again).
“I hope it will be with the Lakers.
It's an excellent organization.
We'll see.
I don't know how I'm going to finish, but the end is coming for sure.
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