Good as gold: LeBron guarantees Olympic title

No more bronze medals for LeBron James. This time he's coming home with gold -- and that's a guarantee.

So he says, anyway.

James made his guarantee in a Time magazine story that hits newsstands Friday. The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar is featured on one of the covers of the Olympic preview issue.

After comparing the feeling of receiving a gold medal on the podium to opening a prized gift on Christmas morning, James was asked if that meant he would lead the Americans to the title.

"Absolutely," James responded.

Asked if he guaranteed it, he repeated, "Absolutely."

The Americans are the favorites, but they haven't won a major title since the 2000 Olympics. James was on third-place teams in the '04 games and the '06 world championships.

James has a mild sprained right ankle and likely won't play Friday when the Americans face Canada in an exhibition game before leaving for China.