Grant Hill comically compares his jumping ability to LeBron James at 39: "I had 20 good jumps for the whole season"
USA Basketball executive director Grant Hill marveled at LeBron James and heaped immense praise on the four-time NBA MVP's leadership ahead of Team USA's Olympic gold medal game against France on Saturday.
Grant, who played 19 seasons in the NBA and retired at the age of 40, shared a hilarious interaction with LeBron during the training camp for the Paris Olympics.
The former NBA star was in awe of the LA Lakers superstar's athleticism and fitness when he showed up at the training camp. Grant shared that he was mesmerized after watching 39-year-old LeBron dunk the ball 20 times in practice.
"I have obviously known LeBron but I wouldn't say we were close," Hill told Rachel Nichols.
"Once we met on July 5th, first of all, he came in at age 39-and-a-half in the best shape. I mean, he was flying around. First day, practice, we're scripting a lot of the offense, we are not going live. He might have dunked the ball 20 times in practice and just dunking hard, going hard.
"So the next day at breakfast, I went up to him and I said, LeBron, you know, when I was 39-and-a-half and I played in the league, I knew I only had 20 good jumps for the whole season and I didn't waste them in practice. You did 20 jumps, good jumps yesterday," the 51-year-old said.
At age 39, LeBron continues to defy "Father Time" and the 20-time All-Star is still among the best basketball players in the world.
Grant Hill heaps praise on LeBron James' leadership
LeBron James has been the best player for Team USA in the Olympics. The 39-year-old leads the team in all the major statistical categories and is in pole position to win the MVP award.
Grant Hill lavished praise on LeBron's professionalism and leadership after closely observing the four-time NBA champion's daily routine over the past month.
"He has been professional," Hill continued.
"He is always on time. He is always the first one there. He's in the weight room every day and then the leadership. He's a connector, he's a glue guy. We all have watched and admired his talents on the court. For the last month or so I've watched and admired just how he leads a team. It's be impressive," he added.
LeBron is averaging 14.2 points, 8.2 assists, seven rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in the ongoing quadrennial competition. The veteran superstar will lead Team USA in the gold medal game against France on Saturday.
Team USA is gunning for its 17th gold medal, while LeBron is vying for his third top of the podium finish.