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Ben Simmons on Facing LeBron James, Team USA at Olympics: 'F--k It, Let's Go Play'

zach bachar

Ben Simmons isn't worried about facing a star-laden Team USA roster led by LeBron James during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In an interview with Nine's Wide World of Sports, Simmons welcomed the challenge of facing off against James.

"F--k it, let's go play," he said. "It is what it is."

The Brooklyn Nets forward announced that he'd be suiting up for Australia next summer, marking the first time he's done so since he entered the NBA in 2016 (per Chris De Silva of Nine's Wide World of Sports).

"I've said it prior, this Olympics, I'm 100 percent committed," the Melbourne native said.

Simmons will be joining an Australia team that could potentially feature NBA talent such as Josh Giddey, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Josh Green, and Matisse Thybulle.

After the United States' shocking fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a roster that was missing superstar talent, James was reportedly "ready to commit for next summer" in Paris (via Shams Charania of The Athletic).

It would be the 38-year-old's first time competing in the Olympics since 2012. Kevin Durant also announced his intention to join the team, as the former MVP was a member of the United States' gold medal-winning roster in 2020.

Four-time NBA Champion Stephen Curry is interested as well, according to ESPN's Kendra Andrews.

"I want to be playing," Curry said. "It's the one thing I haven't done...I definitely want to be there. I want to be on the team."

Reigning league MVP Joel Embiid also announced his commitment to Team USA.

While Simmons' confidence is admirable, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which Australia takes down the United States in the 2024 Olympics.

   

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