Joe Thomas makes PFF’s All-Decade (2006-15) team
August 18, 20162016 Cleveland Browns: Realistic or Hater?
August 18, 2016Fresh off bringing an NBA championship back to a city that was starving for one, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James decided to skip out on the 2016 Olympics in Rio to not only rest, but take some time away from basketball. Days after signing a three-year, $100 million extension to remain with the wine and gold, James hasn’t ruled out playing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, as he told Rachel Nichols in an interview which will air Thursday on Good Morning America.
From Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor:
“Every time I watch’em I wish I was out there. I did not retire from Team USA. I just did not play this summer. So I still left the door open.”
If he does in fact decide to play in the 2020 Olympics, James will be 35 years of age. Even though he took 2016 off, the Akron, Ohio native is one of the longest-tenured members of Team USA. In 24 Olympic games, James has averaged 11.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while leading his team to a Bronze medal (2004) and two Gold medals (2008 and 2012).
Like the NBA record book, he has his name all over the USA Olympic record book as well. James is tied with David Robinson for most games played in the Olympics (24), No. 2 in points scored (273)—having just been just passed by Carmelo Anthony, field goals made (113), assists (88), second in rebounds (95), second in field goals attempted (188), third in field goals made (78), No. 3 in three-pointers made (58), tied for third in steals (36), tied for fourth in three-pointers made (22), and tied for No.5 in blocked shots (10).
Team USA will also feature a new head coach in 2020 with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich set to take over for Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski once the current Olympic Games end on Sunday.
Whether it’s being able to playing alongside his friends or a coach that he loves, don’t rule out No. 23 in 2020.