After reports suggested that LeBron James' USA Basketball return was highly unlikely, it appears Team USA will also be without Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as well as they look to defend the gold during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
According to BusinessMirror's Jonathan Perez, Bryant said he loves competing and representing the United States, but believes it's time for the younger players to participate next year:
"I love competing, but I will let the young guys play and represent the country."
Bryant is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, but his only concern at this stage of his career is winning a sixth championship, which would equal that of Michael Jordan:
"I had my fun playing, just leave the NBA championships to me."
As for James, he's already won two Olympic gold medals and a bronze in three Olympic appearances that began in 2004. During the 2012 Olympic Games in London, James joined Michael Jordan as the only two players to be named NBA league MVP, win an NBA Finals and be named Finals MVP, and win an Olympic gold medal all in the same year.
USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo confirmed that he doesn't expect James to play and doesn't plan to ask him.
"LeBron is going to be three years older during the next Olympics. He will have two older boys. He has a lot to endure with his family" the source told Y! Sports. "He played in three Olympics. Everyone that knows LeBron knows it's always based on a decision at that moment. But if the moment was today the answer would be no."
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