The American men’s basketball team will enter the Paris Olympics as the heavy favorites to win a fifth-straight Gold medal.
However, the globalization of the game has made that throne more susceptible to new kings than the previous four Summer Olympiads. Newly minted US star Joel Embiid may know that better than anyone.
Embiid committed to playing for the United States at the Olympics last year over France and Cameroon, but he knows his first mega stage for the national team does not guarantee him a Gold medal, with him pointing to LeBron James’ age as a microcosm of why America won’t walk to a first-place finish.
The average age of Team USA is just under 31, with half the roster 30 or older. James is the oldest member of the team, turning 40 in December.
There is no better sign of the turbulence Team USA could face in Paris than Sunday’s 101-100 win over South Sudan, where the Americans needed a layup from James with under 10 seconds to go to win the game.
Joel Embiid will star for the heavy favorites, Team USA, at the Paris Olympics in basketball
Embiid has also raised a few red flags about the age of some Team USA stars, including James