Even after two-plus decades, LeBron sets a high standard

Say what you will about LeBron James and his influence over the Los Angeles Lakers in recent years, but even as his career nears its end, James is still a premier attraction and an absolute star on the hardwood.

Even at 39 years old, James demands much of himself and his teammates — and nowhere will that be more evident than at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris later this month. On a star-studded Team USA squad seeking to win gold against stiff competition, James continues to stand out in front of a head coach that has never had the opportunity to work with him before.

Mutual excitement between LeBron and Steve Kerr

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is taking the reins for Team USA this summer — and after years of working out strategies to stop James, Kerr has to find ways to maximize the King ahead of what should be his final Olympics.

After just one day of practice, Kerr is already blown away by LeBron — always eager to impress and set the standard by going full-tilt in training.

“Is this normal?” Kerr asked assistants Ty Lue and Erik Spoelstra, both of whom have coached LeBron in the NBA. The response? “Every day.”

After meeting Kerr’s Warriors in the NBA Finals each year between 2015 and 2018, LeBron is now under Kerr’s direction — and, for the first time, teammates with Golden State point guard Stephen Curry. After missing the past two Olympic Games, LeBron is motivated to win one more gold medal — his third — and do whatever it takes to achieve it.

“My game is whatever the team calls for, I’ll be able to provide,” James told reporters on Saturday. “If it’s a game where I need to score in bunches, I can provide that. If it’s a game where I need to be high in assists, I can provide that, too. I always try to have my game ready and prepare for whatever the game needs and the team needs at that moment.”