Sport
LeBron James looking to play in 2016 Olympics
It was somewhat poetic, James going in one week from stepping onto a gold-medal podium with his teammates on the world’s largest stage to a mix-up inside a minor league ballpark where he grew up and where Thursday’s postgame entertainment will include midget wrestling.
Before taking the field, James retreated to a dusty stairwell corner with large rakes leaning on one cinder-block wall and reflected on his spectacular summer, a three-month whirlwind of awards that began with his third MVP trophy and was capped by a second gold medal.
James told the Associated Press he would like to play in a fourth Olympics. He has not yet informed USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo of his intentions, but the 27-year-old said he’d like to step inside the five rings one more time.
“We haven’t had that conversation,” James said. “But if I’m healthy, I did the math and I’ll be 31, and if I have the opportunity to be out there, I will do it. I love it. I love being a part of it and representing my country. I don’t know what may happen in four years, but it would be great to be back out there again. Definitely.”
Since winning gold, James said he hasn’t heard from any members of the immortalized 1992 Dream Team, which scoffed at the idea that this year’s U.S. Olympic team could beat them.
“Nah,” he said. “I don’t expect to hear from any of them.”
James was the U.S. team’s best all-around player in London, doing whatever coach Mike Krzyzewski needed while leading the Americans to their second straight gold. He was virtually unstoppable, just as he was in carrying the Miami Heat to an NBA championship in June.
