The men's basketball basketball team team secured its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a hard-fought 98-87 victory over France in the final at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
Golden Streak Since 2008
This victory solidifies the U.S. team's dominance in the sport, continuing its streak that began with the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The team, full of NBA stars such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry, delivered a performance that inevitably drew comparisons to the legendary 1992 'Dream Team', a benchmark in basketball history.
The final match was played in a tense atmosphere, with the host nation, France, showing resilience and skill, keeping the game competitive until the final moments.
France, led by NBA rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, managed to cut the deficit to just three points (82-79) in the final quarter, raising the home crowd's hopes of a possible upset. However, Stephen Curry, known for his precision shooting, stepped in at crucial moments.
His decisive three-pointer, which brought the score to 85-79, effectively halted the French comeback. Curry's performance in the final minutes, where he added three more three-pointers, was pivotal to the U.S. team's victory, pulling them away from the French and securing the gold medal.
LeBron James, a central figure on the team, was quick to praise Curry's contributions, noting his crucial role in the victory. The U.S. team's success in Paris has led to renewed discussions about how this team compares to the 1992 'Dream Team'.
Like the 1992 team, this squad was loaded with talent, including four NBA MVP winners-LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid-along with 11 NBA All-Stars and seven NBA champions.
Curry Praised
Post-game celebrations centered on Stephen Curry, who became the focal point as his teammates embraced him, with LeBron James wrapping him in the U.S. flag.
Coach Steve Kerr, who led the U.S. team, emphasized the importance of Curry's late-game scoring drive, but also highlighted the collective effort of the entire 12-man team over the past six weeks of intense preparation and competition.
Curry himself expressed a mixture of relief and excitement, admitting that the victory exceeded his expectations.
The final at the Bercy Arena was one of the most anticipated events of the Olympic Games, attracting a crowd full of prominent figures both from the world of sport and beyond.
French President Emmanuel Macron was in attendance, underlining the importance of the event for the host nation. The crowd included French sports legends such as soccer player Thierry Henry, NBA legend Tony Parker, swimmer Léon Marchand and judoka Teddy Riner, all watching the game from the front row.
On the U.S. side, notable figures such as sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, TV host Jimmy Fallon and Scottie Pippen, a member of the 1992 Dream Team, were also in attendance, adding a stellar touch to the event.
Outside the arena, ticketless fans were seen holding handmade signs, hoping to witness the historic game in person.
.....Any questions???? #usabasketball 🥇 🥇 pic.twitter.com/QFaSohfjuV
- Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) August 11, 2024
Exciting Match
The game itself was a demonstration of high-level basketball, with France taking an early lead thanks to seven quick points from Victor Wembanyama. The young star's performance set a fast pace, but the U.S. team quickly responded.
LeBron James showed his veteran confidence early on, delivering a behind-the-back assist to Devin Booker, while Anthony Edwards hit two three-pointers, helping the U.S. team close the first quarter with a 20-15 lead.
France rallied in the second quarter, briefly taking the lead, but the Americans regained control when LeBron James broke through the French defense, opening up a six-point lead at 37-31. This momentum continued, with triples from Stephen Curry and Jrue Holiday extending the lead to eight points at halftime.
Despite the best efforts of the French team, backed by a passionate home crowd, the United States maintained its lead throughout the third quarter, ending it with a 72-66 advantage.
In the final quarter, France continued to press, but the U.S. team, led by Curry's decisive shots, held firm, once again securing its place at the top of the Olympic podium.
Victor Wembanyama, reflecting on the game after receiving his silver medal, expressed amazement at the intensity and tight margins of the competition. He praised his teammates and coaches for their efforts and vowed to come back stronger, with his sights set on gold at the next Olympics in four years.
