The 2024 Olympics in Paris felt like the top of an period for USA Basketball. The 39-year-old LeBron James, 36-year-old Stephen Curry and 35-year-old Kevin Durant led Staff USA to gold. Collectively, the trio now has eight gold medals in Olympic play, and every is contemplate among the many 15 or 20 best gamers within the historical past of basketball. Nonetheless, at their ages, it is laborious to think about them keep their greatness for for much longer. James is already in uncharted waters as he stays a star along with his fortieth birthday approaching. Curry and Durant aren’t far behind.
For now, all three stay among the many perfect gamers within the NBA. Can they keep there for 4 extra years and stay viable items for Staff USA in 2028? For now, it appears unlikely, at the least to them. “Nah, I can not see myself enjoying in Los Angeles 2028,” James stated after Saturday’s win. “I did not see myself enjoying in Paris 2024, too. However 4 years from now, I can not see it.” Curry additionally acknowledged that he might by no means once more take part. “This may not come round once more,” Curry stated.
Durant left the door open, however he wasn’t precisely commital. “So far as 2028, who is aware of man,” Durant stated. “We’ll see.” He’s the youngest of the three at 35. If he does resolve to play in 2028, he could be as outdated at 39 as James is now. Victory in Los Angeles would give Durant 5 gold medals, including to his present file of 4, greater than another male basketball participant has ever received on the Olympics.
Durant has by no means turned down a chance to play for Staff USA on the Olympics in his profession. He tried to play on the 2008 Redeem Staff however was lower in coaching camp. He has been on each Olympic roster since. His ability figures to age moderately effectively given his taking pictures, however given his harm historical past, solely time will inform how priceless he stays in 2028.
On the very least, 2024’s union of the three finest gamers from this period of NBA historical past looks like a one-and-done phenomenon. Staff USA will virtually definitely be favored on the 2028 Olympics, however it will not have almost the identical caliber of star-power it has had previously. This period of basketball is ending, and it is time for Staff USA to seek out its subsequent technology of superstars.