LeBron James, who has positioned himself in many peoples’ eyes as the one who can lay a legitimate claim to to Michael Jordan’s GOAT status, now gets to do something that even the ‘ghost who played in Chicago’ didn’t. At the twilight of his career, LeBron James will be the flag bearer for the USA during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – an honor that even the great Jordan hasn’t achieved.

‘King James’ will be the first male basketball player to ever hold the flag for the USA in the Olympics, which is a fitting Hollywood ending to his Olympic career. Two decades after finishing with the infamous bronze medal in Athens after his rookie NBA campaign, James has the chance to ensure he ends up with a trio of gold medals to offset the single bronze.

Sometimes it’s amazing to think about just how long LeBron James has been around. Think about it: he helped reclaim Team USA’s honor in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics alongside Kobe Bryant and he’s STILL here. The man has taken the last two Olympic Games off yet is somehow still in shape to lead the team while also preparing for another grueling NBA season.

James has set the new bar for longevity in the NBA, especially considering how effective a player he still is. He turns 40 at the end of the year and is about to play for the Los Angeles Lakers with his son Bronny James. That alone would have been reason enough for the elder James to celebrate, but he isn’t some aged role player. He’s still one of the NBA’s elite.

James has been the model of consistency for the NBA and his Olympic career has been similar. He’s averaged 20.1 points, seven rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.7 steals through the 2004, 2008 and 2012 games, and if his exhibition game performances are any indication, he’s still going to be expected to do some heavy lifting.

As much as I like to give James grief, even I’ve got to show some appreciation for his insane longevity. He’s exceeded every expectation that’s been thrown upon him with his four NBA titles and his seemingly endless string of records. I will probably be kinder to him once he finally hangs them up, as I won’t be feeling the fatigue from seeing him for over 20 years. At this point, he’s basically a walking reminder of how old I’m getting, which may spur on some of my animosity toward him.