There are Olympics athletes … and then there is LeBron James.
At the relatively late age of 39, LeBron won his third Olympics gold medal in Paris with an MVP performance in men’s basketball. And it wasn’t easy: During the run-up to the Games and in the final matches against Serbia and France, the outcome was frequently in doubt.
That’s when the Los Angeles Lakers star went to work. He didn’t just shoot and score. Rather, he showed what he can do in all elements of the game, setting records for assists and contributing solid figures in rebounds. As he has throughout his professional career, he showed he is the complete player.
That includes being the perfect teammate, particularly when it comes to sacrificing the ball so that other star players can contribute. This was most evident in his relationship with Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, whose fourth-quarter scoring in the final two games cemented the USA victory. LeBron and Steph grew as teammates during the Games in Paris, passing the ball to each other and properly working as a team to successfully outscore their opponents.
The 2024 Paris Olympics might be the last Olympics LeBron will play. After all, he will be 43 by the time Los Angeles hosts the next Games. But he is uniquely capable of staying in shape due to his three helpful tips – tips that Special Olympics athletes could and should adopt:
– Focusing on nutrition and fitness
– Prioritizing sleep
– Being mindful of mental health
What has made LeBron such a dominant basketball player is that determination to stay in shape, combined with his expertise in shooting, rebounding and passing. It’s what enabled him to win the MVP award after leading the USA to its fifth gold medal. In the final gold medal game, he had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals – a typically balanced performance – to help the team’s 98-87 win. With continued conditioning, who knows what LeBron James can do next?
