Team USA Insider gives verdict on LeBron James' Paris Olympics Men's Basketball MVP chances
Future Hall of Famer LeBron James entered the 2024 Olympics with the best odds to win the tournament's MVP award in Paris. Since then, James has led the way for Team USA, who went undefeated through their five international friendly games leading up to the Olympics, as well as in the Group Phase.
At the same time, James is ranked second for assists per game throughout the Olympics with 7.8 apg, positioned only behind Dennis Schroder, who is averaging 8.8 apg.
Currently, the four-time NBA champ sits as a heavy betting favorite to win the tournament MVP award according to DraftKings with -170 odds, followed by Kevin Durant, who has +500 odds to win the award.
The way NBA insider Brian Windhorst, who has been on-hand in Paris covering the Olympics, sees things, if the tournament ended today, his vote for Olympic basketball MVP would be LeBron James.
On Wednesday, he appeared on ESPN's Get Up to discuss the situation leading up to Team USA's clash with Serbia on Aug. 8.
"He's got four NBA MVP's, four Finals MVP's. He's got a couple of all star game MVP's, but there's one more that he has. Oh, mid season tournament, don't let me forget that, he won that one. He's got one more. He's never won the Olympics MVP, which they just brought back in 2020.
"Last night was brilliant. Basically played flawless basketball last night, nine assists, didn't miss a shot. He is getting there."
Looking at LeBron James' recent performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, news emerged indicating that LeBron James had been voted the best player on Team USA by his teammates during training camp. James then followed it up with a series of impressive performances that saw him give Team USA a huge lift in their final two international friendlies.
After rattling off three straight wins in their pre-Olympic international friendlies, Team USA faced adversity when playing against South Sudan. In response, LeBron James went on a hot streak late in the game, clinching a win with a game-winning bucket.
Several days later, James again came up clutch for Team USA in their final international friendly against Australia, with a big game-winning sequence late in the fourth.
Once the Group Phase of the Olympics tipped off, James kept the momentum rolling, flirting with a triple-double as he logged 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds against Serbia.
The LA star then followed it up with a 12-point, six rebound, five-assist outing against South Sudan in a highly anticipated rematch, before closing out the Group Phase with a 10-point, eight-assist game against Puerto Rico.
This week, in Team USA's quarterfinal matchup with Brazil, James flirted with a double-double, logging 12 points and nine assists en route to a dominant win. He and Team USA will next face off with Serbia on Aug. 8 in another highly-anticipated rematch.