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👟 Netflix Launching Doc on U.S. Olympic Team

👟 Netflix Launching Doc on U.S. Olympic Team

Chris Lesiak
August 20, 2022

LeBron James signs $97M contract extension with the Lakers, the NBA opening night stacked with rivalry games, and Netflix to launch doc on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball team.

Have a great weekend!

LEBRON JAMES

LeBron James Signs $97M Contract Extension with Lakers

LeBron James surprised the basketball world by extending his contract with the Lakers on a two-year $97.1M deal. While most people figured LBJ would eventually re-sign, virtually no one expected him to do so this early, as he could have theoretically applied more pressure to the Lakers if playing on an expiring contract. Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to the team and has overtaken Kevin Durant as the top guaranteed contract money earner with $532M.

This extension aligns James with his running mate, Anthony Davis, as the two superstars will have the option to become free agents or negotiate new deals with the Lakers in two years. Interestingly, because this contract was an extension and not a new deal, James is ineligible for a no-trade clause, although it does have a 15% trade kicker. However, it’s LeBron James. No one in their right mind is trading the man unless he asks out.

Even though James is turning 38 this year, he remains an incredibly dominant force. Last season he performed at an MVP level, averaging 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists before getting injured.

NBA SCHEDULE

NBA Opening Night Stacked with Rivalry Games

The 2022-23 NBA season is rapidly approaching and we can’t wait for opening night on Tuesday, October 18th. On opening night, fans will be treated to two prime matchups featuring the revamped Philadelphia 76ers against their bitter rivals, the defending Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics.

Later that night, the league moves out West to see the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Golden State Warriors. If that wasn’t juicy enough already, given the storied history between LBJ and Dub Nation, this game will be at Chase Center on the night where the Warriors will be receiving their championship rings.

While there's no shortage of games to look out for during the opening week, the weekend, in particular, will have some highly-anticipated home debuts. First and second overall picks in this past draft, Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren will make their home debuts on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Meanwhile, Jamal Murray expects to return to Denver for the first time in nearly two years.

NETFLIX

Netflix to Launch Doc on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team

A new can’t-miss basketball documentary is coming soon to a screen near you. A documentary on ‘The Redeem Team,’ a.k.a The 2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, is headed to Netflix and is produced by Olympians and NBA greats LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Netflix has partnered with the International Olympic Committee to examine the iconic Beijing Olympic victory and will notably feature never-before-seen footage.

For those unfamiliar, the 2004 Olympic Games saw the storied U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball program shockingly knocked off the mountaintop, having to settle for a bronze medal. This documentary will examine that loss and how the team was able to persevere and redefine what American basketball is all about.

This documentary will feature interviews with athletes and coaches like D Wade, LeBron James, and Coach K. The Redeem Team will be released globally on October 7th.