Lebron James appeared before journalists at the press video conference from the Staples Center with the tired face and a word that he repeated in a loop: “exhausting”. This is how he described the tight season, the injury problems suffered by the Los Angeles Lakers and the restrictions generated by the strict sanitary protocols against the covid-19 of the NBA.
In the midst of so much exhaustion, the star allowed himself to dismiss in a subtle and unclear way his presence in the Olympic Games
from tokyo. LA Times reporter Dan Woike asked him if he would travel to the Olympics, and on ’23’ he replied:
“I think this summer I’m going to play for the ‘Tune Squad’ instead of the Olympics, that’s what I focus on now”, released LeBron, who also added some references to the ‘Goon Squad’, a team with which he will rival on the big screens in the second installment of Space jam that he himself stars in.
With this clearly promotional answer to a very serious question about Tokyo 2020, LeBron dislodged the American press, who did not have the opportunity to ask for a clearer clarification.
Some took it as a confirmation and others as a preview of a decision that is practically made. The number ’23’ will not go to the Olympic Games and will give priority to rest and attendance at promotional events that have accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic.
At 36 years old, and still dragging on ankle problems that he injured in March, it makes sense for LeBron to put health over olympic commitment this time. There remains, at most, an official confirmation of the news when those chosen to represent the US team are known.