As the United States prepares for the Olympics, LeBron James continues to make an effect on Team USA, despite the fact that he is over 40 years old and has played on the court with some of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Based on his performance since camp began on Saturday, James was chosen as the top player on the roster in a straw poll of camp attendees conducted by Joe Vardon and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Amen Thompson, a forward for the Houston Rockets and a member of the U.S. select squad, remarked, “That’s what I told my brother after the first day. I was like, dude’s 40 and he’s the best player on the court.”
Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards, and James all garnered five votes apiece. A single vote was cast for each of Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and Bam Adebayo.
According to Vardon and Amick, nobody from squad USA cast a ballot, and the vast majority of respondents were either players or coaches for the select squad.
The head coach of the Orlando Magic’s select team, Jamahl Mosley, spoke highly of James’ leadership abilities.
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During Monday’s scrimmage between Team USA and the select team, 17-year-old Cooper Flagg stood out for his dominant performance against elite opposition. In the end, the Olympic team prevailed 74–73 because Davis defended Brandin Podziemski’s shot at the buzzer.
Because of the make-up of Team USA’s roster and the fact that Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid are both healthy, there was talk that head coach Steve Kerr may try to employ James as a bench player during the Olympics.
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James will certainly play in his last Olympics, so the idea that he might not start is surprising. His desire to win a third gold medal has been made plain.
For James, winning the gold medal is “our only goal,” he told reporters on Saturday.
James will do whatever it takes to make that happen, given how seriously he is taking this training camp.
Starting on Wednesday against Canada, James and Team USA will embark on a five-game showcase schedule. When the Olympics begin on July 28, the United States will face Serbia in their first group match.