After a horrifying tenure in China in 2019, where they were knocked out of the competition by France in the quarter-finals, Team USA is getting ready to return stronger than ever and show the world they’re still the best team in the world.
Last year, they failed to take their best players to Asia and that could change next season, as USA Basketball could see their best names lining up to represent the country in Tokyo.
The 2021 Olympic Games will be the perfect time for Team USA to prove they’re still the best national team in the world and they could get a big star to help them confirm their status. Sports Illustrated reports that LeBron James could be considering joining the team in Tokyo, even though he hasn’t explicitly said he wants to play in Tokyo next year.
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.
Bron still has to confirm his desire to go represent the country in Tokyo but there is no doubt his presence will draw more attention to the team from the media and will bring more players interested to join the squad that will go play in the 2021 Olympics. The last time he was in the Olympics was in 2012, where Team USA won the gold medal led by Bron, Kobe Bryant and more stars.
It looks like they need their superstars to make a statement next year and Bron appears to be ready for the challenge.
