OLYMPIC GAMES
LeBron James christens Paris 2024 Team USA as “The Avengers”
The 39-year-old basketball legend officially named the team that won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This Saturday marked the pinnacle of Men’s Basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Team USA triumphed over France with a final score of 98-87, securing their seventeenth gold medal in history. Following this victory, the team members reflected on their remarkable achievement.
LeBron James, who was named MVP, took the opportunity to officially christen the star-studded team, which includes NBA icons like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid. When asked whether this team had an official nickname, the LA Lakers star confidently responded, “The Avengers.”
Dream Team, Redeem Team and now The Avengers
The journalist’s question referenced the legendary “Dream Team” of Barcelona 1992 and the “Redeem Team” of Beijing 2008, which also led the United States to Olympic gold. The Dream Team featured legends such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, and Patrick Ewing, while the Redeem Team boasted players like Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and LeBron himself.
Now, ‘King James’ has chosen a name for the current team, which, in addition to its superstar players, had a distinguished coaching staff, including Steve Kerr (head coach, Golden State Warriors), Tyronn Lue (assistant coach, LA Clippers), Erik Spoelstra (assistant coach, Miami Heat), and Mark Few (assistant coach, Gonzaga University).
LeBron’s victory in Paris also set a historic milestone, making him the first Men’s Basketball player to win a gold medal in three different decades. He first won in Beijing 2008 at the age of 23, again in London 2012 at 27, and now, at 39, he stands atop the podium once more in Paris 2024.
As James turns his attention to his final years in the NBA, he is eager to fulfil his dream of playing alongside his son, Bronny James, with the Los Angeles Lakers. This upcoming season will mark his 22nd in the league, and he plans to savour every moment of his seventh year with the west coast franchise.