LeBron James has added another gold medal to his collection, making it his ninth MVP award, including four league MVPs and four Finals MVPs over his 20-year career.
How LeBron Joined Team USA
After defeating France in the final game, Grant Hill shared how LeBron committed to the team. It began on February 7, 2023, at Crypto.com Arena. That night, LeBron hit a mid-range jumper against Oklahoma City and surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBAโs all-time leading scorer. Hill knew then that he needed LeBron for Paris.
Grant Hill played until he was 40, but as he told us in Open Run, he didnโt have quiiiiiite the hops LeBron has at 39. Very cool story here from Grant about how locked LeBron has been on this Olympic team since Day 1.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols)
โI just went up to him and said, โHey man, I need you in Paris,โ and he said โIโm in,โโ Grant told reporters. Though casual at first, they confirmed it later that year. From then on, there was no doubt about his participation.
First Time Recruiting
For Hill, who started recruiting for Team USA in April 2021 before the Tokyo Olympics, this was his first time recruiting LeBron. The last time LeBron played for Team USA was in London 2012 when he won gold.
Hill admitted he didnโt know LeBron well initially but got to know him through this process: โHe deserves this.โ
The All-Star Game Revelation
During the All-Star game on February 18th, reporters bombarded LeBron with questions about what might be his last Olympic run. He responded from Indianapolis: โItโs more miles put on these tires… But if Iโm committed โ which I am โ to Team USA… Iโm going to commit my mind, body and soul.โ
Kerr’s Perspective
On April 17th Steve Kerr expressed excitement about coaching one of basketball’s greatest players: โItโs an incredible honor,โ said Kerr. After years of rivalry between Warriors and Cavaliers teams led by Kerr and James respectively; they became allies during this Olympic journey.
โLeBron is a blessing to coach after all these years trying to beat him,” Kerr stated. “His professionalism is unmatched.”
Fans think it’s amazing how rivals can become such great teammates!
Stats Speak Louder Than Words
At age 39 during six tournament games; James averaged impressive stats: 14.2 points per game (ppg), grabbing nearly seven rebounds per game (rpg), dishing out over eight assists per game (apg), along with averaging more than one steal each contest! In their victory against France securing gold; he scored fourteen points alongside six boards ten dimes two steals within thirty-three minutes on court!
