Olympics 2024 News: LeBron James & Co Labelled ‘Too Old’ To Bag Team USA 17th Gold at Paris

Since 1936, the United States basketball team has significantly succeeded in the Olympics. To date, the men’s roster has bagged over 16 gold medals, while the women’s roster has won 11. With the 2024 Paris Olympics set to commence three weeks from now, Team USA will have the chance to add another win title to their already impressive resume. To secure this, an impressive roster consisting of NBA stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, etc will be sent out to compete against the other 11 teams over two weeks. Despite having a star-filled lineup, one sports analyst is not convinced they have what it takes to go up against a younger field of athletes.

A few hours ago, longtime commentator Chris Broussard and former Fox Sports contributor Rob Parker released another episode of their long-running ‘The Odd Couple’ podcast. Wasting no time in kicking off the discussion about Team USA, Broussard believed that the basketball team was certainly the favorite to win the Gold Medal at the Olympics. At the same time, however, he highlighted his belief that bagging the title is not a “guarantee” since some of the top players making up the roster are among the oldest players in the modern NBA. Broussard’s co-host agreed with the viewpoint.

“I think the team is too old, Chris,” said Rob Parker. “I’m not convinced that they’re going to win Gold.” Parker would later add on to his earlier statement by highlighting “If this was five years ago, with those names, no doubt about it. It’s an old squad…. LeBron, Kevin Durant, who else we’ve got…. Steph?”

LeBron James is currently 39 years of age, while Kevin Durant is 35. The upcoming event may very well end up being the ‘last dance’ of LeBron on the international stage. Furthermore, out of the twelve players on the roster, seven are above the age of 30, while only two are under 25. Compare this to the Team USA roster in 2016, which only had two players above 30, and the 2012 team, which only had the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant as a 30+ athlete. Therefore, having looked at the past, Broussard and Parker may have formed the opinion that young players equal success.

However, one shouldn’t forget that when competing in the Olympics, no one has more experience among the current players than LeBron James and Kevin Durant. LeBron led the team to bronze during the 2004 Athens Games while securing the gold during the 2008 Beijing and the 2012 London Olympics. Kevin Durant represented Team USA in three consecutive Olympics (2012, 2016, 2020) and helped to win gold in each of them. Furthermore, they won’t be the oldest basketball players present. Australia and France, the runner-ups of the previous games, have four and six players above 30, respectively.

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry may be the oldest players on the Team USA roster. However, each holds the records that define their high offensive prowess and playing abilities. Furthermore, if the recent season is any indication, then the playing days of the trio are far from being over anytime soon.

Team USA reportedly puts LeBron James in the point forward position

While Chris Broussard and Rob Parker highlighted their concerns about the age factor, Team USA was finalizing what role each player would play three weeks ago. The decision-making coincides just as the roster heads to Vegas to participate in a four-day training camp. If there were any earlier doubts about whether LeBron James, the oldest player, would be sidelined from an important role, the same would be proven false.

According to reports, Team USA plans to use LeBron James as a point forward, while Stephen Curry will be placed off the ball. Further confirmation of the decision is expected to be made after the coaching staff observes each player’s prowess during the training camp. Despite Curry being offered a lesser role, head coach Steve Kerr has assured that the Warriors star still has an important role to play during the games.

“I’ve talked to both of them (LeBron James and Stephen Curry) about this idea of being together after going against one another with such high stakes over the years,” said the 58-year-old coach during an online presser. “They obviously fit really well together. I think the idea of Steph playing off the ball and LeBron pushing it in transition, that’s pretty intriguing.”

In such a situation where LeBron James will be running point, the starting lineup may consist of Curry, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum/Kawhi Leonard. At the same time, looking at his success in the recent NBA season, the coaches may also want to use 22-year-old Anthony Edwards.

Before leaving, check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.