By Aris Barkas/ [email protected]
PARIS, France – LeBron James, who has a gold medal in his pocket for his performances at the 2024 Olympics, shared exciting predictions about future major international tournaments.
James, 39, discussed various topics after the gold medal game between the United States and France on Saturday.
“We are the global game. Everyone in the world loves the game,” When asked about the challenges posed by Serbia and France in the semi-finals and finals, the four-time NBA champion stressed “There are so many other teams that are getting better and better. Germany won the World Cup last year. So the world is a basketball world and everyone loves the game. We just hope we can continue to inspire people all over the world.”
MVP nomination
James, 39, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after leading the U.S. to gold, averaging 14.2 points, 8.5 assists, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks per game in six games between the group stage in Lille and the knockout round in Paris.
“We won. That’s the most important thing.” He commented on the individual award, “It’s an honor. I don’t know who the voting committee is or whatever, but I’m incredibly honored that they even voted for me. And that came with winning gold for us.”
In the gold medal game, the Akron native scored a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“It was great,” He said that the home crowd naturally supports France, “I think we would have liked to play against the hosts. It was a great atmosphere.”
“The best”
After twelve years, he returned to the Olympic Games and won his third gold medal after similar triumphs in 2008 and 2012. In 2004, he had to settle for bronze.
“This is the best because it is what is happening right now,” He compared the success with Team USA, “With the Redeem Team we had to come back because we hadn’t reached our full potential for a few years. And then in season 12 we played good ball and were able to win in London.”
“We put this team together very quickly,” He moved to the current squad with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and other NBA superstars, “We didn’t like the way we played last summer, so we put this team together very quickly. We had to come together in less than a month.”
Curry and Durant
LeBron praised the outstanding performances of Curry and Durant in the finals, thereby reaffirming the strength of the team.
The 36-year-old Curry scored half of his 24 points in the final phase from beyond the three-point line, putting the USA at a safe distance. “You are simply amazed and it is unbelievable,” mentioned James, “I’ve seen it before, from the other side. Having them on your side. You just try to make stops and think of other ways on the other end, but keep looking for him, keep giving him the ball.”
The 35-year-old Durant added 15 points. “You just have to look at his silhouette, you have to look at his skills. He is one of the best basketball players you have ever seen play basketball.” said James, “His talent is out of this world.”
“Live in the moment”
After the Olympics, the next step is to prepare for the 2024–25 regular season and compete for the Los Angeles Lakers with his son Bronny on the team.
“I just live in the moment” He stressed “I feel incredibly honored that I can still play this game, at a high level, with 11 other great players and a great coaching staff, and then go out there and do it for our country. Great moments.”
Photo credit: FIBA
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