MVP
Exactly 11 months ago today, rumors of LeBron James committing to the 2024 Olympics reached hoops circles. As far as National Basketball Association off-seasons went, the news was as big as they came. For all the bits and pieces of information that hogged headlines on slow days, it was worthy of note if for nothing else than because the star of stars was likewise doing a massive recruitment job. Evidently, he had taken it upon himself to convince other marquee names to join the cause. And when the King talks, everybody listens.
Needless to say, the sway James held over his peers manifested itself in the pledges he got off the bat. Such notables as Kevin Durant, already a legend in the Summer Games, and Stephen Curry, who had yet to attend the quadrennial festivities, said yes. So did Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, who, like him, last suited up for the red, white, and blue in 2012 (as a late replacement for the injured Blake Griffin). In short, he did a lot of the work for Grant Hill, managing director of the men’s national basketball team.
To be fair, Hill did get the ball rolling by approaching James shortly after the latter broke the NBA all-time scoring record in April 2023 and getting an affirmative response that was fortified when the United States lost four games in the FIBA World Cup. In other words, the premier league’s senior citizen had a mission to cling to, and one that would further add luster to an already singular career: restore lost glory for Uncle Sam (while, not coincidentally, sporting a similar gray beard) and exit the world stage in a blaze of honor.
The rest, as the cliche goes, is history. James would go on to literally and figuratively lead Team USA to gold in the Paris Games. His imprint on the squad was clear from the outset. He led practices and scrimmages, barked orders from his familiar spot at the top of the key in live-ball situations, and, for good measure, played hero in tuneup matches against would-be opponents in the Olympics. He even went on to serve as Flag Bearer alongside Coco Gauff for the 502-strong contingent across 34 disciplines.
In the contests themselves, there was no questioning James’ influence. He was Team USA’s most consistent performer, and would finish the tournament with norms of 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. And when the going got tough, he got going. Against Serbia in the semifinal round, he claimed a triple-double to help snatch victory from the throes of defeat. His output in the fourth quarter, during which he, Curry, Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker overcame a five-point deficit to triumph: six markers, six caroms, four dimes, and outstanding defense on reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic.
Considering James’ sterling body of work, it was but fitting that he would wind up with Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors and banner the All-Star Five (with Curry, Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dennis Schroder) at the close of the Olympics. He got what he aimed for, reaching the pinnacle of success while leaning on, and still learning from, aging stalwarts he called to serve. He was also all fun off the court, making the experience even more memorable. The Avengers assembled, with the Expendables at the forefront, and everything came together as envisioned.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.