The Los Angeles Lakers have sent their franchise players to Paris to help Team USA win the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. It's an ambitious goal that has materialized in the form of Anthony Davis and LeBron James leading the country through the USA Basketball Showcase.
With the Olympic Games soon to commence, James has received an extraordinary honor that will put a bow on his all but incomparable career.
James will be appearing with Team USA for the third time in his Olympic career. He last played for the team in 2012, when the Americans secured a gold medal in London by defeating Spain in a legendary gold medal game.
In a remarkable revelation by Team USA, it was reported that James has been officially selected as the men's flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Leading the way for Team USA. 🇺🇸
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 22, 2024
Two-time Olympic gold medalist @KingJames has been selected as our men's flag bearer for the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/NN4NLWwwfc
It's a landmark honor that etches James' name further into history as one of the greatest American athletes of his or any generation.
LeBron James will be Team USA's flag bearer at the Paris Olympics
James is the first men's basketball player in history to earn the honor of Team USA flagbearer at the Olympics. Dawn Staley became the first women's basketball player to have the privilege to do so in 2004, and Sue Bird became the second in 2020.
That's a Hall of Fame collection of names that James is well-suited to join considering he's one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
James enters Paris as a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Only Kevin Durant, who's in pursuit of his fourth, and Carmelo Anthony, who retired with three, have won more among men's basketball players who have donned the stars and stripes.
It would be yet another notch on James' belt, which already includes four NBA championships and a matching four Finals MVP awards.
Team USA has looked solid at the USA Basketball Showcase, albeit without showing the dominant form that fans are accustomed to seeing. It's secured wins over Canada, Australia, Serbia, and South Sudan, with the latter coming down to the wire in a 101-100 escape of a victory.
James took center stage in that clash with South Sudan, posting team-high marks of 25 points and seven assists on 10-of-14 shooting.
It's been a strong series of performances from James, which is made all the more impressive by the fact that he's 39 years of age. It's yet another example of the four-time NBA MVP defying Father Time and raising the bar for longevity.
Starting with the legacy-altering honor of bearing the flag for one's country, and potentially ending with an Olympic gold medal, 2024 could be a legendary year for an iconic player.