LeBron: 'I did not retire from Team USA'
LeBron James has been watching the Olympics from home (or at least, from a yacht in Italy) for the first time since 2000.
After competing for Team USA in the last three Games, James took a pass on Rio 2016 following a physically and emotionally draining championship run with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He wants to make it clear, however, that he hasn't closed the door on a possible return to the team four years from now in Tokyo.
"I did not retire from Team USA," James told ESPN's Rachel Nichols on Wednesday. "I just didn't play this summer. So I still left the door open."
James will be 35 when the next Summer Olympics roll around, but USA basketball would likely welcome him back with open arms. Legacy is clearly important to the program, which even reached out to a retired, soon-to-be 38-year-old Kobe Bryant to gauge his availability for Rio.
On top of that, the U.S. is clearly missing James' presence. Though they went 5-0 in preliminary play, they struggled defensively and have lacked offensive fluidity, eking out nervy wins over Australia, Serbia, and France.
"Every time I watch 'em I wish I was out there," James said.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski surely feels the same.