When 3-on-3 basketball was officially added to the lineup for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, visions of LeBron James-Russell Westbrook-Kevin Durant triple-alley-oops danced through our heads.
Unfortunately, it appears unlikely that we'll get to see those three, or any other NBA superstars, participate in the three-on-three competition.
I talked to people in NBA circles and some star players about Olympics adding 3-on-3. So far, general consensus is NBA stars won't compete.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 11, 2017
LeBron said he thinks the tournament will be great for the game, but admitted that he'd probably sit out for three-on-three, saying it's not really his thing.
"I think it's great for basketball" - LeBron James on the addition of 3-on-3 basketball to the Olympics. @FIBA
— InsideHoops.com NBA (@InsideHoops) June 11, 2017
"I'm not very good in a 3-on-3 thing. I'm more of a 5-on-5 guy" - LeBron James, speaking on 3-on-3 basketball being added to the #Olympics.
— InsideHoops.com NBA (@InsideHoops) June 11, 2017
OK, we're not buying the faux humility with the "I'm not very good in a 3-on-3 thing" here, LeBron. Just say you don't want to do it -- don't pretend like you're suddenly going look like you've never played basketball before.
![](https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/big-bang-theory-basketball-gif-terrible-basketball-shots.gif)
This is definitely a disappointing development -- we all hoped to see NBA stars play 3-on-3 -- but it's not exactly a surprise. The biggest stars will be competing in the 5-on-5 tournament anyway, and others probably won't want to risk injury for what amounts to a glorified "Hoop it Up" trophy.
But we still have three years, so let's not lose all hope just yet.