PARIS — The American basketball muscle remains strong.
The rest of the world has made big strides over the past three decades, and there are brilliant talents and developing teams that show great promise. But when Team USA sends its best, no team has yet shown it can stop the Yanks.
It is now five straight Olympic golds for the USA after a hardfought 98-87 victory over the resilient and prideful host nation of France Saturday.
The indelible moment came from Stephen Curry, who made four uber clutch 3-pointers in a two-minute, 13-second stretch of the fourth quarter to turn away a French uprising. Curry assured his first gold medal with a ridiculous fallaway bomb, silencing the home fans with his “put them to sleep” trademark move.
“At that point your mind goes blank, you don’t really care about the setting or the scenario or anything, it’s just a shot,” Curry said. “Thankfully, that one went in … it’s just rhythm and flow and confidence and that was it.”
After making nine 3-pointers in the semifinals and putting in 36 points, Curry made 8 of 12 triples in the final for 24 golden points.
“I’ve seen that from Steph a few times, but it never gets old,” Team USA coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s a global game with a lot of great players, but we still feel we have the greatest players.”
Curry’s teammate LeBron James won his first major Most Valuable Player award at age 24, and 15 years later he added another to the most expansive MVP shelf the game has ever seen. He was named Olympic MVP, an award that was added at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, adding to his four NBA MVPs, four Finals MVPs, three NBA All-Star Game MVPs and the only In-Season Tournament MVP in history.
James, who sported golden shoes, made crucial power and finesse plays throughout the game, scoring 14 points with 6 rebounds and 10 assists. He earned his third career gold and fourth Olympic medal overall, joining Kevin Durant as the only American men with four. Durant, who became the first American man to win four golds, had 15 points and several big baskets.
Devin Booker, who has been an unsung hero throughout Team USA’s summer, had 15 points as he locked in his second gold. Anthony Davis had one of his best games of the tournament with 8 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, and also took home his second gold medal.
In the end, the Americans’ 3-point shooting prowess made the difference. They made 18 of 36 3s, a number France just couldn’t keep up with. The French made nine triples but took 30 of them.
“It wasn’t easy, but damn, I’m excited,” Curry said. “This is everything that I wanted it to be and more, so I’m excited.”
Victor Wembanyama, who perhaps represents the greatest hope to unseat the Americans in the future, said that Saturday’s game in the French capital was the “chance of a lifetime” and that his mindset coming into these Games was it was “first or failure” for Les Bleus.
His play backed up his words and his potential as he delivered one of the best games of his young career. Wembanyama’s presence was felt everywhere, from the opening moments of the game when he drilled a long 3-pointer, and his long arms and fearless temperament put a major stamp on the game.
Wembanyama played his best-ever game for the national team, scoring 26 points with seven rebounds. He wiped away tears as the Americans celebrated the win.
“Wembanyama was amazing tonight,” Kerr said. “He’s soon going to become one of the best in the world.”
It was the biggest game in the lives of each French player, and they played admirably, pressing the U.S. throughout a tight second half. Their pressure defense disturbed Team USA and forced 17 turnovers, the Americans’ biggest flaw that kept the door open for the home team as the French repeatedly cut into Team USA’s lead.
Guerschon Yabusele scored 20 points for France, which has won silver in the past two Olympics.
“It’s a disappointment because we expected we could do it,” France coach Vincent Collet said. “We have to recognize at the end they were better. They’re still the best.”
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Publish date : 2024-08-10 08:09:00
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