This summer is going to be jam-packed with tons of sports events coming just around the corner, including the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, this year. There has been tons of media speculation and coverage around this certain summer Olympics, because many are not supporters of what Brazil had to do in order to prepare for the Olympics in 2016 and the World Cup earlier in 2014. That being said, the games are going to continue and Olympic basketball is something to be excited about. All we know is that Team USA is going to be the most dominant force in the tournament and the whole basketball aspect, turns out to be Team USA vs. everyone else.
Now we are hearing rumours that USA Basketball has come to an agreement for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony to play for the team this summer. This will be their 4th time for both stars to be playing in the Olympic games.
According to Peter Vecsey:
FYI: not that it’s any surprise, but I’m told LeBron & Melo have accepted invites to play in their 4th Olympics…
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) April 24, 2016
Although it doesn’t seem like much of a surprise that the two will be joining the team, there was speculation if LeBron would join. He had mentioned that he wasn’t sure if he was going to play, because he was focused on Playoffs at the time. For LeBron, a lot of it is dependant on the outcome of the NBA Finals in June. For Carmelo, playoffs aren’t going to be happening this year, and with a lot of time on his hands, USA Basketball might be good for him to get back to playing at an elite status for the Knicks. We haven’t figured out what the deal is with the rest of the team, but you will definitely see some familiar faces like defending champion’ Stephen Curry & Draymond Green. Either way, we’re going to have another summer filled with basketball and that to me sounds like a good deal.
UPDATE:
According to Associated Press, LeBron James has not committed to the Olympics just yet:
A message Saturday on the Twitter account of longtime NBA writer Peter Vecsey said James and Carmelo Anthony had accepted Olympic invites.
James spoke at Cleveland’s shootaround Sunday before a playoff game at Detroit. When asked if he has committed to the Rio Games, he said: ”I have not.”
With LeBron not committed yet either, it does raise the question of whether his other buddies like Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade or even Melo will commit to it. With the summer Olympics around the corner of the NBA Playoffs, it has to be on the back of their minds.
