Basketball superstar Lebron James has been named as Team USA’s flag bearer at the opening ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Countries are allowed one male and one female flag bearer at the opening ceremonies, and the American woman that will join him will be announced Tuesday.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” James said in a press release. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”
James has two Olympic gold medals from the 2008 and 2012 Games and a bronze with the 2004 team in Athens. In 2012, he joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win an NBA MVP award, NBA title, NBA Finals MVP, and Olympic gold medal in the same year.
James skipped the 2016 and 2021 Olympic tournaments, both won by the United States, but will return for the 2024 Games, where early returns from his teammates are that he is still the team’s undisputed leader.
Video:
He leads an American team that has the most superstars and is the most well-rounded in the tournament thanks in part by commitments from big men Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid. Embiid was born in Cameroon, but has dual Cameroonian-American citizenship.
But the most superstars doesn’t always guarantee dominance – the US needed a James game winner with 8 seconds left to beat South Sudan 101-100 last week in an Olympic tune-up game in London last week.
The US, though, are still the favorites to win their 5th-straight gold medal and 16th in 19 tournaments.
Only two swimmers have ever carried the American flag at the opening ceremonies: Michael Phelps in his last Olympics in 2016 and Gary Hall in 1976.
How does this affect LeBron’s legacy?
I’m old enough to remember when he lied about having a racial slur spray painted on his fence
– most finals losses in NBA history
– most missed shots in NBA history
– most missed free throws in NBA history
– barely plays defense
– ruins coaches and teammates, on his 4th coach btw in 6 years. The coaches are handpicked by LeFraud (see LeBozo’s podcast drinking buddy JJ redick)
– an average shooter outside of 5 feet (his 1st 7 years he shot 37% outside of 5 feet)
– cries when the refs aren’t obviously fixing games in favor of his contrived super teams achieved by collusion
The NBA’s golden goose is a fraud with a media-contrived legacy pirated by an endless supply of LeBozo jock sniffers that occupy “analyst” positions
Jerry West has lost the most in the finals.
Kobe Bryant has missed the most shots (albeit James will pass him this season).
Wilt has missed the most free throws.
I genuinely don’t think his defense is that bad – there are certainly some who are worse.
Can’t argue with your fifth point.
I feel like that stat is wrong.
Not true.
RE last point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9yjtFFXuB4&ab_channel=ChazNBA
RE second to last point: he’s actually a 37% shooter outside 3 feet, which is even worse
Lebron and Torres 2008. IYKYK.
Prob worth mentioning in article that this is voted on by the athletes right
There’s no standard, but it’s usually chosen by fellow athletes or by team captains.
Siobhan is the female flag bearer for Hong Kong at the opening ceremony.
Great choice. All class.
LeFlag
The female flagbearer has to be Ledecky or Biles right? You could also maybe pick taurasi on her 6th Olympics but picking two basketball players would be surprising. Or is there someone I’m not thinking of from track or something like archery?
Ledecky is unlikely given the schedule for swimming. Swimmers unless they have a lighter schedule and towards the end of the swimming days, don’t usually do the opening ceremony and Ledecky swims the 400 free the morning after the ceremonies. Simone has a day between the opening ceremonies and qualifications so maybe for her? I just don’t know what they typically do.
I hope Ledecky extends her swim career to LA 2028. Supposedly because they plan to double book the opening ceremonies and the swimming pool in the same location, that requires the pool to be built quite literally AFTER the games begin at Sofi Stadium, pushing the swimming portion of the olympics to week 2. This ‘could’ allow Katie to carry the flag for Team USA.
Assuming Katie swims in 2028, it’s be hard to imagine anyone (it’d have to be 2 people not just 1) pushing her out of the 800 free and 1,500 free. Maybe she misses the 400 free if some newcomers challenge, but her just being a part of it should make her the flag bearer…LA 2028… Read more »
The pool will likely be build then covered for the opening.
Also think not Biles for opening either given her last Olympic performance wasn’t great. Guessing she might want to make sure she is full steam for her events also. Unless they wait (for either) and just bring them in, walk in with the flag and then whisk them back out again. Kind of the only way you could do either and not have it affect performance.