Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid commented on the current state of LeBron James, stating, “LeBron now is not the LeBron that was a couple of years ago.”
Embiid, who recently acquired American citizenship and is making his international debut with Team USA, noted the age of many stars on the national team.
He acknowledged that while the U.S. team boasts considerable talent, many players, including James, are in the later stages of their careers.
“The name might be there, but everybody would also tell you, and you can see for yourself, the athletic LeBron and the dominant player he was a couple of years ago is not the same now,” Embiid said, via HoopsHype.
Despite the star power, Embiid emphasized that the current roster is not as dominant as in previous years.
The American team has won all four of its warm-up games before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
However, victories over Canada, Australia, and South Sudan have not been easy, with the latter game being decided by just one point.
Embiid’s comments highlight the challenge facing the U.S. team as they prepare for the Olympics.
The team’s success in warm-up games indicates a competitive journey ahead.
As the Olympic Games approach, the performance of veteran players like LeBron James will be closely scrutinized.
Embiid’s observations offer a realistic perspective on the evolving dynamics of the national team.
