After missing the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James wants to take part in the upcoming Olympic games. Originally set for 2020, the Olympic games will begin July 2021 in Tokyo.
“I was told he wants to plan on being able to play, but no one can totally commit under these circumstances,” USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told Chris Sheridan of BasketballNews.com last week.
James has previously stated his interest in playing for Team USA in the 2020 Summer Olympics but he hasn’t yet made a firm commitment. This recent report makes James’ desire sound a little more concrete.
One major question that will need to be asked prior to any official decision is how the 2020-21 NBA campaign will play out, given that the season isn’t likely to begin until the new year but could still consist of 82 games.
It’s very likely that the NBA campaign ends up playing through the Olympics, a conflict that the league hasn’t had to deal with previously.
Although James declined an invite to the 2016 Summer Olympics, along with Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry, Team USA was still able to win a gold medal behind the play of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and other league stars.
Even if the Games go on and James doesn’t play, the NBA’s cream of the crop should still be able to show they’re the best players in the world.
James is currently set to make his 10th NBA Finals appearance, where he’ll be looking for his fourth NBA championship.
