USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill must be pleased watching Team USA dominate at Paris 2024 with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant – the faces of the current generation leading the charge. Hill got real on how the uncertainty around the form and fitness of the three eldest players on the team made him ponder the decision.
“I respect how hard it is to be excellent at that age. I also know it can be exhausting, and the summer is an important part of your preparation for the upcoming NBA season. So I didn’t know what they had. Like, I didn’t know fully what level they would play at. You can hope that they play at a certain level. So there was some uncertainty, I’ll be honest.”
“Maybe it’s being paranoid, but what if LeBron at 39 1/2 years old, can’t be at that level? Then what?. (But) he’s far exceeded that, and if anything he came in (to training camp) in probably the best shape (of any player on Team USA). He was the best player in the exhibition games and at times has been our best player in (Olympic) games thus far.”
Hill also admitted that the depth of Team USA was strategic, as they wanted to plan for a situation where the three main stars were possibly underperforming or unable to dominate. That hasn’t been a problem so far, with James and Durant especially having dominant Olympic runs.
The USAB Managing Director continued to isolate James as an example, gushing over the Lakers’ star for his fitness, play, and squad leadership.
“The things that have surprised me (about LeBron) are his level of fitness, his level of play, and his overall leadership. To see sort of everything he brings to the equation on a daily basis … I think it is endearing as a teammate and is part of why he’s been so successful over the entirety of his career.”
LeBron is averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists on 67.6% from the field, leading Team USA in assists and field goal efficiency. James is Team USA’s point guard on offense, dissecting opposing defenses and maximizing the opportunities his own team gets.
Durant is averaging 14.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He entered the Olympics with a calf injury but has played every game to help Team USA in France. Given the chemistry Team USA has found, Durant is coming off the bench right now and is expected to continue in that role.
Curry is the only one who could be considered as someone who is struggling, averaging 7.3 points on 25.0% from the three-point line (5-20 3PT) at the Olympics. This is his first appearance at the Olympics, so an adjustment period to the game is natural.
James and Durant are appearing in their fourth Olympics respectively, which explains why their transition to FIBA basketball again has been smoother than Curry’s.
The trio will lead Team USA into their third matchup against Serbia in the last month in the semi-final of Paris 2024.
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