Lebron James leaving Team USA.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Does this open a slot for Jeff Green? :-P

[relja]

allows for parker to slot right in

He's french lol

[scaryjerry]

Funny.  I just saw Colangelo on NBATV the day before saying that Lebron/Melo won't be the best players in 2016, that it'll probably be Durant.

And the next day, Lebron takes a bow.

The bit about rest and strain on family is bunk.  He's about as healthy as they get.  And Kidd played for USA when his body creaked like the Tin Man...

Lebron won't play second fiddle; he'd rather not play.

Well this is silly...if he even heard colangelo and had a problem with the comment he would go and show who's the best player on the planet...it ain't Carmel or Durant

[Snakehead]

Funny.  I just saw Colangelo on NBATV the day before saying that Lebron/Melo won't be the best players in 2016, that it'll probably be Durant.

And the next day, Lebron takes a bow.

The bit about rest and strain on family is bunk.  He's about as healthy as they get.  And Kidd played for USA when his body creaked like the Tin Man...

Lebron won't play second fiddle; he'd rather not play.

Are you trying to say Durant is better than LeBron?

 

[Snakehead]

Winning a third straight title will be the hardest thing he's ever done and he knows it. He's going to need all the rest he can get this summer.

Exactly.  He is primed to make a run at having a whole bunch of rings, that has to be his focus now.

[D.o.s.]

Not to mention that I don't believe any NBA player has played in more than three Olympic tournaments.

[OsirusCeltics]

Funny.  I just saw Colangelo on NBATV the day before saying that Lebron/Melo won't be the best players in 2016, that it'll probably be Durant.

And the next day, Lebron takes a bow.

The bit about rest and strain on family is bunk.  He's about as healthy as they get.  And Kidd played for USA when his body creaked like the Tin Man...

Lebron won't play second fiddle; he'd rather not play.

Are you trying to say Durant is better than LeBron?

 

By 2016 Durant will be. Lebron might be scared of that

[RIPRED]

I don't blame him.  Giving up every other summer to compete in international competitions just puts a lot of extra strain on his body.  He's done his part for Team USA.  I see nothing wrong with him now focusing exclusively on championships.

I agree. And as the article stated, his kids are getting older and his summers shorter so personally, for him its the right move. Thanks for the last two gold medal wins Lebron.

WOW!!! Did I just thank Lebron James. I suddenly feel like I need a shower!

Maybe his older children would enjoy the whole Olympic experience? I believe the athletes are allowed to bring their families, so it could be a fun thing for them. If it were me, I would play, but I'm sure he has his reasons.

[Snakehead]

Funny.  I just saw Colangelo on NBATV the day before saying that Lebron/Melo won't be the best players in 2016, that it'll probably be Durant.

And the next day, Lebron takes a bow.

The bit about rest and strain on family is bunk.  He's about as healthy as they get.  And Kidd played for USA when his body creaked like the Tin Man...

Lebron won't play second fiddle; he'd rather not play.

Are you trying to say Durant is better than LeBron?

 

By 2016 Durant will be. Lebron might be scared of that

He really won't be.  You realize LeBron is just about to enter his prime right?  Right now he's rather far ahead of Durant and he will get better (as will Durant, but LeBron is an all time great).  He contributes in more ways and has become a real killer in close game situations.

[Donoghus]

allows for parker to slot right in

He's french lol

He's not talking about Tony Parker. Jabari.

[Donoghus]

I have no problems with Lebron leaving Team USA.  He's put his time in.  3 Olympics & 2 golds. 

He's getting older and his summers have been ridiculously short because of the deep playoff runs of the past few years.  He's got his medals, now is his time to chase championships and cement his status as one of the all-time greats. 

I don't recall people giving Jordan grief for not playing on the '96 Olympic team.

[D.o.s.]

I don't blame him.  Giving up every other summer to compete in international competitions just puts a lot of extra strain on his body.  He's done his part for Team USA.  I see nothing wrong with him now focusing exclusively on championships.

I agree. And as the article stated, his kids are getting older and his summers shorter so personally, for him its the right move. Thanks for the last two gold medal wins Lebron.

WOW!!! Did I just thank Lebron James. I suddenly feel like I need a shower!

Maybe his older children would enjoy the whole Olympic experience? I believe the athletes are allowed to bring their families, so it could be a fun thing for them. If it were me, I would play, but I'm sure he has his reasons.

I get the feeling the Olympics are the most fun for the young and single.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hope-solo-says-theres-lots-sex-olympic-village-024000853--oly.html

[bdm860]

Not that I think gold medals really matter all that much, but man LeBron could have ended up with one of the most decorated careers of anybody outside of Bill Russell (though even without the gold medals, he likely still will).

He could probably get 4 gold medals (could have been 5 too if not for the 2004 team) if he wanted to play through 2020.  He could end up with 4-6 total NBA championships, in addition to those 2 other Finals appearances, maybe even more if he becomes a 3rd best player late in career, kind of like Kareem.  He could end up with 8+ MVP’s.  12+ All NBA First team selections.  Maybe a DPOY or 2 (he was lobbying hard for it last year, the media won’t let him down next year).

His Springfield plaque could have seriously read:

Most gold medals with 4, plus 1 bronze.  (No NBA player has more than 2 golds, 3 total.  LeBron, Carmelo and David Robinson all tied)
4-6+ championships.  (Already has 2, no non-Celtic star player has more than 6).
Most All-NBA first team appearances with 12+.  (Already has 7, Kobe and Karl Malone have the most with 11).
Most MVP’s, with like 8 (Already has 4, Kareem has the most at 6).
1-2 DPOY awards (Lobbying hard for it last year, only 3 players have more than 2).
Most All-Defensive first team awards with 9+ (Already has 5, Kobe, Garnett, Jordan, Payton all have 9).

Kobe and Jordan both winning All-NBA and All-Defensive 1st team awards at 34.  Whether you think he deserves it or not, you know how the NBA and Media protect and support the superstars, and LeBron has 6 more seasons till he gets to that age.  Man if he stays healthy, what could be.

[bdm860]

I don't recall people giving Jordan grief for not playing on the '96 Olympic team.

I don't have a problem with LeBron (or anybody) not playing.  But I think a difference in ’96 with Jordan might be that the U.S. was still thought of as invincible.  That team had 7 of the 50 greatest players ever.  I see 10 HOFers on that roster (or 9 depending on what you think of Grant Hill’s chances).

USA didn't need Jordan to play, they were going to win by 40 no matter what.  The thought was that a US team full of 2nd rate stars still would have won easily in '96.  Now more people are worried the US might lose even with the very best players playing, let alone our 2nd or 3rd tier of best players.

That's why Jordan didn't get grief in '96 I think.

[Donoghus]

I don't recall people giving Jordan grief for not playing on the '96 Olympic team.

I don't have a problem with LeBron (or anybody) not playing.  But I think a difference in ’96 with Jordan might be that the U.S. was still thought of as invincible.  That team had 7 of the 50 greatest players ever.  I see 10 HOFers on that roster (or 9 depending on what you think of Grant Hill’s chances).

USA didn't need Jordan to play, they were going to win by 40 no matter what.  The thought was that a US team full of 2nd rate stars still would have won easily in '96.  Now more people are worried the US might lose even with the very best players playing, let alone our 2nd or 3rd tier of best players.

That's why Jordan didn't get grief in '96 I think.

I think a lot of it has to do with people not liking Lebron or have an axe to grind while Jordan was much more deified at that point.