Perhaps the biggest guarantee in the NBA is that LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will be in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when his career ends.
There have been rumors about his future and a potential retirement, but James remains a member of the Lakers, set to be a free agent in the summer of 2026. However, despite still being an active player, James, along with Chris Paul, became the only two active players in the NBA to be in the Hall of Fame.
They were inducted because of their play on the 2008 Olympic Team USA gold medal-winning squad, nicknamed the 'Redeem Team', which was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Following the induction ceremony, James was quick to flex his Hall of Fame jacket on social media.
"We In The Hall Baby!!!!! Ayyyyyyeeee 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾👑," James wrote on Instagram.
LeBron James In The Hall Of FameThe entire player roster and coaching staff of the 2008 Olympic men's basketball team were inducted for their contributions in helping win the gold medal. While some, like coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim, as well as players like Jason Kidd and Dwyane Wade, are already in the Hall, James and Paul are in a unique category of those inducted.
Both James and Paul are still active players at the time of the Hall of Fame ceremony, making them the only two active players in the NBA to be given the highest honor in the sport. After the USA's collapse in the 2004 Olympics, the 'Redeem Team' did exactly what their namesake implies.
"In 2004, the United States failed to earn gold at the Athens Olympics, ending a run that started with the 1992 Dream Team of three consecutive gold medals," Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report wrote. "In 2008, the United States formed a super team featuring LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and more stars."
The team went 8-0 in all competitions, and easily took home the gold medal. James finished second in scoring at 15.5 points per game, just behind Wade's 16-point average. He was also third on the team in rebounds and second in assists, behind Paul, the only player to average more than four per game.
James has now won three total gold medals at the Olympics, capped off in Paris last summer with a team led by him alongside Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
Bryant was another key member of the 2008 Redeem Team. Members of the team present at the Hall of Fame ceremony honored the long-time Lakers shooting guard and member of the gold-medal winning team.
Lakers Star Makes Another AnnouncementWhile his involvement on the 2008 Redeem Team has been James' highlight over the past few weeks, the 40-year-old Lakers star made recent comments that created headlines.
Speaking with CGTN Sports Scene, James said he doesn't see himself becoming a head coach in his post-playing career.
"I was inspired by the game. I love the game," James said. "But I don't have coaching in my future."
Though the thought of James coaching in the NBA would be almost as shocking as his career resume as a player, fans won't be seeing the 21-time All-Star drawing up plans on the bench anytime soon.
James' comments on his future came around the same time it was reported that the Lakers do not have a timeline for the future of the four-time Finals MVP.
"Now, as far as LeBron's future—I know there's a lot of speculation," Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast. "Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don't know. As far as I know, he's honestly going year to year. Could this be his last year? Yes. Will it be his last year? I don't know. Does he know right now? Maybe. But my interpretation is that it has not been established (with the Lakers). He will see where he's at at the end of the year."
James' future remains a mystery for both the Lakers and the NBA world. While he could either retire after this season or continue his historic career, the league's all-time leading scorer already has a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Comments
Post a Comment