Is LeBron James in the 2016 Rio Olympics?
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled the heist of the century in the 2016 NBA Finals and won the title. Are the Olympics on LeBron’s plate and the chance at a third gold medal?
LeBron James is now a three-time NBA Champion, a four-time NBA MVP and one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the sport.
James also has two gold medals (2008 and 2012) sitting around the house and would be a lock to make Team USA’s roster for the 2016 Rio Olympics if he chooses to play again.
Sadly for the world, James won’t be chasing his third gold medal and will sit out the Olympics for the first time in his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career.
Also, when asked he planned to play for U.S. at Rio Olympics, LeBron James said, "I don't think so."
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) June 22, 2016
James has played for the United States in all three eligible years that he’s been in the NBA (2004, 2008 and 2012) and won a bronze medal in 2004, a gold medal with the “Redeem Team” in 2008 and won another gold medal after winning his first NBA title in London in 2012.
For those that still criticize James for a decision he made six years ago (while he donated the profits of “The Decision” to charity), you can ease off James’ back for wanting to sit this one out. The man has nothing left to prove to anyone after what he and the Cavaliers just did in June.
He’s the best player in the world and appears to still have some gas left in the tank, so not playing even more basketball this summer and enjoying a championship seems like a good decision to make.
It does stink that James won’t be competing in Rio. He’s one of the best athletes in the world to watch and it would’ve been a joy to see him among the likes of Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony.
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