LeBron James’ entry into the professional sports world in 2003 foretold a career full of both team and individual achievements. At that time, wearing the colors of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Akron native showcased a talent rarely seen on a basketball court.

His countless trophies and medals undoubtedly place him among the greatest athletes in history, beyond his basketball achievements. This is why LeBron might wonder what would happen if he dedicated a few months to training in another sport and competed for an Olympic medal.

While it’s a scenario difficult to realize due to non-sporting factors, if LeBron James set his mind to it, he could easily compete professionally in any other sport beyond basketball.

What LeBron said about competing in other sports

Although it’s a scenario that’s hard to imagine, there have often been lighthearted discussions about what might happen if LeBron James competed in other sports outside of basketball, specifically in the Olympic Games.

In statements on ‘The Shop’, James himself affirmed his potential achievements if he were to compete in other sports: “Compete in, like, how much time are you going to give me?” James responded when asked if he could medal in another sport or event. He went on to cite a pair of track and field options. “Maybe the long jump. I think I could do the long jump, maybe, or the high jump if you give me some time. I need about six months, eight months, or whatever, preparation to get to that.”

What’s next for LeBron James in his career

One of the key figures in Team USA’s gold medal victory at Paris 2024 is now fully focused on preparing for a new NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

It won’t be just another year for LeBron, as for the first time in NBA history, a player could share the court with their son. This will happen if Bronny James makes the final roster selected by JJ Redick.

The main goal remains unchanged: to secure another championship ring for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, this won’t be easy, as strong teams from the Western Conference will also be vying for the title, including efforts to defeat the current defending champions, the Boston Celtics.

This achievement meant the first Olympic gold medals for Curry and Edwards and a record fourth for Kevin Durant in men’s basketball, all of which deserved celebration. But the trio of players couldn’t celebrate the way they wanted.

Edwards, during an appearance with Durant on the latter’s produced show, “The Boardroom,” at Fanatics Fest, made a particular revelation after former NBA player Jalen Rose asked him how Team USA’s celebration went.

What was Edwards’ revelation about Curry and Durant after winning the Olympic final?

Regarding the celebration after Team USA won the gold medal, Anthony Edwards said: “After the gold medal, I’m not gonna lie, me and him [gestures to Durant] had a… what do they call it? a drug test,” Edwards said. “We couldn’t even celebrate in the locker room because me, him, and Steph had to take like a drug test or something.”

When Rose commented that drug testing came as no surprise given Curry’s incredible performance in the gold medal match against France, Edwards shared that Durant was scheduled to be tested earlier during the Olympic Games. “He supposed to have got one after the first Serbia game,” Edwards said about it while Durant laughed.

How are drug tests carried out at the Olympic Games?

FIBA establishes specific procedures for drug testing during the Olympic Games. These procedures include the random selection of athletes, the collection of samples, and the analysis of samples in accredited laboratories. Tests can be carried out both in-competition and out-of-competition, depending on the circumstances.

The inclusion of flag football in the upcoming 2028 Olympics is just one of many new features to look forward to. Although it may not have the same popularity as the NFL, it shares some similarities with American football. Some of its top players have even dared to compare themselves with the NFL‘s biggest stars.

In addition to flag football, several new sports will be introduced at the 2028 Games: baseball (including its softball version), cricket, lacrosse, and squash—previously featured in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—will all be among the new sports introduced in Los Angeles.

Darrell Doucette, one of the top figures in flag football, not only challenges Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes but also issued a strong warning to NFL players.

What did Doucette say to Mahomes?

The starting quarterback for the U.S. flag football team stated: “At the end of the day, I feel like I’m better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game,” said Doucette, via Overtime, per how bout those CHIEFS on X, formerly Twitter. “I know he’s right now the best in the league. I know he’s more accurate. I know he has all of these intangibles. But when it comes to flag football, I feel like I know more than him.”

The stern warning to NFL players

Besides claiming to be superior to QB Patrick Mahomes, Doucette issued a strong warning to other NFL players: “I think it’s disrespectful that they just automatically assume that they’re able to just join the Olympic team because of the person that they are—they didn’t help grow this game to get to the Olympics,” Doucette said, Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Guardian, via Bleacher Report. “Give the guys who helped this game get to where it’s at their respect.”

An event of such magnitude, featuring three of the best basketball players of recent times on the same court, will undoubtedly be hard to replicate. Moreover, many of their teammates were privileged witnesses to this extraordinary occasion.

Looking back at the events of the past few days, Steve Kerr’s team embraced their role as frontrunners and contenders, securing the gold medal at the Olympics with distinction. With LeBron James named MVP, the United States clinched the top spot for the fifth consecutive time.

Not only did experience play a crucial role throughout the competition, but a new generation of players also emerged, promising to carry on the legacy established by these incredible athletes.

The importance of continuing the project will fall to Steve Kerr’s successor, who has decided to step down following the Paris Olympic Games. With the goal set for Los Angeles 2028, it remains to be seen who will ultimately take charge of the team.

A special moment for one of the rising stars

One of the most promising talents on Team USA is undoubtedly the Minnesota Timberwolves player, Anthony Edwards. He was the one who, during an interview, mentioned a particularly special moment shared with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.

Regarding Team USA’s coronation after winning the final, Edwards admitted: “Steph [Curry] was number 4. I was number 5. [LeBron James] was 6 and [Kevin Durant] was 7. When Steph’s name get called, they go crazy. My name get called, they like [meh],” Edwards recalled in the Fanatics Fest event with Jalen Rose, via Boardroom. “Bron name get called crazy, [KD]’s name get called, they go crazy. So me just being in the middle of them, I think that was the greatest time in my life.”

The future coach of Team USA

With Steve Kerr stepping down as Team USA head coach, two names are emerging as potential replacements. The top contenders to succeed Kerr in this successful cycle are none other than his two assistants from the Paris 2024 Olympics.

First among them is none other than Miami Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra, while also emerging as a potential candidate is Tyronn Lue, head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The decision remains uncertain, but all signs point to one of these two names being the eventual successor to Steve Kerr, taking the helm as the team heads toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

With the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Team USA‘s gold medal victory, a glorious chapter comes to an end, marking the farewell of several key players from the U.S. national team.

Stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are nearing the end of their careers, which means they will also be stepping away from representing the United States in upcoming official FIBA events.

It’s not just the players stepping down from Team USA; it has also been announced that head coach Steve Kerr will be leaving his position. The Warriors coach departs after leading the team to a commanding gold medal victory at the Paris Olympics.

The immediate goal for the leadership now is to find a replacement, as the 2028 Olympics are on the horizon and will be held in Los Angeles, right on U.S. soil.

The potential replacements for Kerr

With the aim of preparing for upcoming FIBA commitments, the leadership will seek to find a replacement for the successful Steve Kerr as quickly as possible.

According to The Stein Line Substack account, there are two potential candidates to succeed Kerr as head coach. Interestingly, both have previous experience in such roles.

The first candidate is none other than Erik Spoelstra, the current head coach of the Miami Heat and also a gold medal winner in Paris. The other is Tyronn Lue, head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers and a former assistant to Kerr at the recent Olympics.

What’s next for Team USA?

The next head coach of Team USA will face the challenging task of maintaining the team’s high standards, but this time without stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, or Stephen Curry.

Nonetheless, with the focus shifting to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, a wealth of top-tier NBA players could be available if they choose to participate. Notable names like Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker are poised to continue the legacy left by the previous generation.

“It’s an honor. I don’t know who the voting committee, or whatever the case may be, but super-humbled that they even voted for me,” James said, via Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “But it came with us winning gold and that’s what’s more important for me. It’s pretty cool.”

James winning the Olympics MVP award took many by surprise as Steph finished the tournament with a couple of strong performances to emerge triumphant in the semifinal and in the gold medal match.

Following a slow start to the basketball competition, Curry stepped up when it mattered the most as he recorded an impressive 36 points in a hard-fought semifinal against Nikola Jokic’s Serbia.

The Chef followed that outstanding night with a 24-point outing in the final against France, but it still wasn’t enough to beat James in the battle for the MVP prize. And there might be a surprising explanation for this.

The surprising reason LeBron may have won Olympics MVP over Curry

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, voting for the Olympics MVP award was held two days before the semifinals. That may explain why James finished with more votes than Curry, who didn’t stand out until the semis.

“The Olympics MVP is so new, this is only the second time they have done it in the modern era that it’s not something that the people even think about really,” Windhorst said, via Basketball Network.

“I’m not even sure there’s a trophy. I asked, ‘How is the MVP chosen?’ Then I was told that it’s media voting, which the media could vote on, there was a QR code allegedly on the wall. They opened the voting like two days before the end of the semifinals. But I was told, ‘Media voting and FIBA experts.’”

In a roster filled with star power like never before, it was challenging to predict LeBron’s role in the team coached by Steve Kerr. However, as the games progressed, it became clear that his leadership, both on and off the court, would be crucial for the team’s ultimate success.

His selection as MVP of the tournament, though some argued it should have been shared with Stephen Curry, was undoubtedly bolstered by his final statistics. LeBron finished as the leader in rebounds, assists, and steals, while also ranking as the team’s second-leading scorer.

Throughout his career, James has won almost everything, leading some to believe that his MVP award might seem less significant. However, for the Akron native, it was far from just another accolade.

While there wasn’t a single game where James stood out significantly more than his teammates, his consistency throughout the tournament earned him the MVP award. In the final against France, he capped off his performance with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals.

LeBron James thoughts on being named MVP

In an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, the Los Angeles Lakers star and former champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat expressed great humility about being named the best player of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“It’s an honor. I don’t know who the voting committee, or whatever the case may be, but super-humbled that they even voted for me,” James states. “But it came with us winning gold and that’s what’s more important for me. It’s pretty cool …”

True to form, one of the greatest players in basketball history not only expressed gratitude for the award but also acknowledged the effort of all his teammates in achieving the ultimate goal of winning the gold medal.

LeBron was also included in the FIBA All-Star Five

It was expected that, in addition to being named MVP of the tournament, LeBron James would also be selected to the FIBA All-Tournament Team. This recognition was shared with his compatriot Stephen Curry.

The final lineup was completed by Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, Serbian Nikola Jokic, and one of the tournament’s surprises, German Dennis Schroeder.

Team USA had to overcome important challenges on its way to the gold medal. Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, put up a strong resistance in the semifinals, but the Americans managed to prevail in a thrilling final. France, meanwhile, also put the United States in trouble in the final, thanks to the outstanding performance of Victor Wembanyama.

The competition for second place on the podium was intense. Serbia managed to climb to the second step of the podium, while France experienced a remarkable rise in the ranking, moving from ninth to fourth place. These results reflect the highly competitive level of international basketball.

United States: The undisputed king of Basketball

The dominance of the United States in world basketball is undeniable. With five consecutive Olympic titles, the American team led by LeBron James and Stephen Curry has shown overwhelming superiority. The combination of talent, experience, and roster depth makes the Team USA an almost unbeatable opponent.

However, the competition is growing. Teams like Serbia and France are taking important steps to close the gap with the United States. The rivalry between these teams promises to be exciting in the coming years.

Europe gains ground

European basketball continues to rise. Serbia and France have proven to be powerhouses in the sport, capable of competing at the highest level. The presence of talented players in Europe’s top leagues has contributed to the growth of basketball in the region.

Spain, despite its disappointing performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, remains a force to be reckoned with. The Iberian team has experienced some ups and downs in recent years, but its basketball tradition guarantees its presence among the best teams in the world.

Top 10 Teams in the FIBA Ranking

1. United States (838.8)
2. Serbia (758.9)
3. Germany (755.3)
4. France (743)
5. Canada (747.8)
6. Spain (746.7)
7. Australia (732.5)
8. Argentina (731.1)
9. Latvia (711.4)
10. Lithuania (698.9)

This decision raised eyebrows since the Golden State Warriors star put up strong performances when it mattered the most, but it looks like James got the votes before Curry’s breakout.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, voting for the Olympics MVP award opened two days before Team USA’s semifinal against Serbia. That may explain why Steph finished behind LeBron.

“The Olympics MVP is so new, this is only the second time they have done it in the modern era that it’s not something that the people even think about really,” Windhorst said, via Basketball Network.

“I’m not even sure there’s a trophy. I asked, ‘How is the MVP chosen?’ Then I was told that it’s media voting, which the media could vote on, there was a QR code allegedly on the wall. They opened the voting like two days before the end of the semifinals. But I was told, ‘Media voting and FIBA experts.’”

Curry’s strong finish to the Paris 2024 Olympics with Team USA

Curry struggled to look like his true self at the beginning of the Olympics, but the 36-year-old rediscovered his best form just in time when Team USA’s aspirations were on the line.

In a hard-fought semifinal against Serbia, the Splash Brother put the team on his back by logging an impressive 36 points. The Chef once again went off in the gold medal match, recording 24 points in the win against hosts France.

After failing to be productive from beyond the arc in the group stage, the Dubs star posted a combined 17 three-pointers in the last two matches. That’s why many felt Curry deserved the MVP award ahead of LeBron, but it seems that The King won the prize before Steph could make a case for himself.

Edwards, who has become one of the league’s brightest stars, has demonstrated his ability to lead and shine on the international stage. His participation in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games positioned him as one of the fundamental pillars of the American team. However, the player has chosen to focus on his development in the NBA.

Despite his youth, Anthony Edwards had an outstanding performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His ability to score and make an impact in the game was critical to the success of the Team USA.

What decision has Anthony Edward made after the Paris 2024 Olympics?

After Team USA’s brilliant performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Edwards was asked about his participation in the 2027 FIBA World Cup, which will take place in Qatar, Edwards said shortly and directly. “Hell nah,” Edwards said concerning the World Cup, according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.

Edwards’ future in the NBA

Anthony Edwards is destined to become one of the best players in the NBA in the coming years. His combination of talent, youth, and winning mentality position him as a future star of the league.

The experience gained at the Olympic Games will be invaluable to his development as a player. Sharing the court with legends such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant has allowed him to grow and learn from the best.

Edwards’ decision has sparked controversy and debate in the basketball world. While some understand and respect his choice, others regret losing such an exceptional talent in future international competitions. Despite this, the player will continue to be a reference for the U.S. national team and is expected to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The current Phoenix Suns star was one of the standout players for Team USA, delivering notable performances, especially in the initial Group C games, where they emerged victorious against Serbia, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico.

In the final match, where the USA ultimately secured the gold medal, Kevin Durant played a total of 31 minutes on the court, registering 15 points and 4 rebounds, making him a key player in the decisive moments.

Most of the team members coached by Steve Kerr suggest that, one of the main keys to achieving the ultimate goal of winning the gold medal was not just about the team’s technical aspects.

According to post-victory statements in Paris, Kevin Durant emphasized the exceptional relationship not only among the Team USA roster but also with the coaching staff led by Kerr.

Kevin Durant’s feelings after winning with Team USA

After the victory over France in the final, Kevin Durant did not hide his excitement at once again being crowned with the United States national team. He reflected on the experience of sharing the roster with these stars.

In an interview with @overtime, Durant stated: “I had some great teams. I can’t compare, but this was so much fun for a month. Traveling the world, man, going to places I’ve never been.”

Kevin Durant and his prestigious trophy cabinet

Kevin Durant’s career representing the United States has seen him crowned multiple times. The former Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets player, among others, won gold at the London 2012 Olympics, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and now Paris 2024. Additionally, he secured first place at the 2010 World Cup in Turkey.

In the NBA, he currently holds two championship rings, both earned alongside his friend Stephen Curry with the Golden State Warriors. These victories came in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Additionally, Durant has been selected for the All-Star Game in 14 editions.

What’s next in Kevin Durant’s career

While there is no official confirmation, given that Durant is already 35 years old, it is likely that this may have been his last Olympic Games representing Team USA. The next Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in 2028.

In the NBA, KD will face a new season with the Phoenix Suns, alongside his Olympic teammate Devin Booker, as they pursue the coveted championship ring.