LeBron James Said ‘That S–t’s Crazy’ Teaming with Steph Curry, Durant, Kawhi for USA

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVJuly 9, 2024

Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images

The star power USA Basketball is bringing to the 2024 Summer Olympics isn’t lost on anyone—not even the superstars on the roster.

LeBron James said it’s “surreal” to be sharing a court with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard—his longtime NBA Finals rivals—for Team USA.

“It’s surreal,” James told reporters Sunday. “Anytime I see a clip, (when) I go on social media and see a clip of us walking into the building — like yesterday, I think we all walked into the building (together) and I was like, ‘Damn, that s–t’s crazy.’

“(It’s like) somebody put the greatest AAU team of all time (together). It’s super cool. That was dope. And then being on the floor with those guys just got me even more respect for them.”

James, Curry and Durant lead a star-studded group of players who collectively decided to make the trip to Paris. Seven of the 12 players on the roster are over the age of 30, coming together for one last hurrah before symbolically handing the basketball baton to the next generation.

James, 39, is an Olympian for the first time since winning gold in 2012, while Curry is playing in his first Olympics at age 35. Durant, 35, is looking to become the first man to win four Olympic gold medals; he’s currently tied with Carmelo Anthony for the most all time with three.

Leonard and Embiid join Curry as first-time Olympians over the age of 30. All three stars had planned to play international basketball in the past but had to pull out due to either injuries or exhaustion from the NBA season.