VIDEO: LeBron James Becomes The First Male Basketball Player In History To Bear The USA Flag At The Olympic Opening Ceremony

LeBron James (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP) (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
A well-known figure wore Team USA’s iconic stars and stripes as the 2024 Olympic Games began in Paris on Friday. LeBron James, the first male basketball player to get the accolade, grinned broadly while holding the flag in the pouring rain.

After 21 years as a professional, King James has accomplished yet another unprecedented milestone. He still breaks records. The 39-year-old athlete deserves the accolade because he is one of the best in American history. However, people are now opposed to acknowledging his incredible career and the remarkable achievements that have shaped it.

Even though only 206 nations are competing in the Olympics this year, the world paid attention to the United States’ entry today because one of the best athletes in the world was leading the way.

Even though it felt like a fleeting moment, hours of preparation and meticulous planning went into the event. To be ready to carry the flag, LeBron James had to be fitted with a recognizable white coat.

James could have taken the summer off at nearly forty like many other NBA players, such as Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. But he decided to dedicate himself to helping his nation win. Love him or hate him, LeBron James is an American sports hero. Perhaps no one deserves to represent the country this year other than him.

LeBron James Plans To Elevate Team USA Basketball To Olympic Glory By Winning A Gold

Naturally, the actual job starts for LeBron and his colleagues after the ceremony. Even with a loaded roster, this year’s competition is more intense than ever. Teams like Canada, Serbia, and France possess sufficient firepower to contend with Team USA. LeBron’s incredible layup at the buzzer last week would have prevented South Sudan from giving the United States a severe scare and allowed them to win their exhibition game.

The USA does not have the same chemistry as other teams that have been playing together for years. With so much skill and so few games together, head coach Steve Kerr has done his best to put together lineups that work, but the USA hasn’t had the most flawless play on the floor.

Nevertheless, they won every exhibition match and joined the competition as the clear favorites to take home the gold. Even at this point in his career, LeBron James will play a significant role in their success.

Time and time again, he has been the unsung hero of USA basketball, turning spectacular moments into game-saving performances. At 14.2 points per game on average, he leads the team in scoring and has been the offensive facilitator, dishing out a team-high 3.6 assists per game.