The German basketball players surprisingly defeated the USA at the World Cup on the way to the sensational title. The frustration runs deep there. Next summer, at the Olympics in Paris, established NBA superstars will be ready to play for their country again.
After the national basketball team’s legendary triumph at the 2023 World Cup, many fans are already dreaming of the Olympics in Paris: Can the team led by NBA star Dennis Schröder (29) also win the next gold medal at the Olympic Games?
One thing is certain: As world champions, Germany is one of the favorites. Nevertheless, there is already bad news for the black, red and gold dreams, more than nine months before the Olympics.
Olympia 2024: German dream of gold already in danger?
Because: Team USA should again consist of the big superstars in 2024. As several sources have now reported, even NBA legend LeBron James (38, LA Lakers) is said to be at the head of a group that wants to lure the best of the best back to Team USA.
Regardless of the disappointing fourth place for the US team at the World Cup in Asia, corresponding planning had been going on for some time, reported the portal “The Athletic”. But: The semi-final exit against Germany further fueled the mind games.
LeBron James gathers superstar team for Olympics in Paris
It is reported that James has already met other stars such as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green (both Golden State Warriors), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Anthony Davis (LA Lakers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) and Damian Lillard (Portland Trail). Blazers) spoken.
Everyone had signaled their willingness. All players are part of the NBA’s superstar ranks, and Team USA would be the absolute favorite to win gold with them.
If a US team, consisting largely of sports superstars, travels to Paris, it would be the fourth time after 1992, 2008 and 2012. The teams in 2016 and 2021 were also star-studded, but without LeBron James and Kobe Bryant they had nowhere near the charisma of the previous tournaments.
In 1992, when NBA professionals were admitted to the Olympics for the first time, the so-called “Dream Team” of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and many other stars won the gold medal in Barcelona.
The “Redeem Team” restored US honor in basketball with Olympic gold in 2008 after several failures. Back then, as later in 2012, NBA superstars such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and the now deceased Kobe Bryant were there.
At the last World Cup in Asia, coach Steve Kerr’s US team surprisingly failed in the semifinals in Manila, 111:113, against eventual world champions Germany. Kerr had younger players available there, but like four years before, in the end there was not enough to win a medal.
