Team USA basketball held to their symbol of excellence in Olympic competition, captivating fans worldwide with their self titled team of “The Avengers.” The matchup against France, led by rising phenom Victor Wembanyama, delivered a thrilling battle for Olympic glory.
Facing France: A Battle for Olympic Gold
As Team USA prepared for their gold medal matchup against France, they faced a formidable opponent determined to make history on their home court. The French national team has undergone a transformation, benching longtime stalwart Rudy Gobert in favor of a more dynamic lineup.
At the center of France’s hopes, the 7-foot-4 phenom Wemby, who lead the NBA in blocked shots and averaging a double-double in his rookie season. His presence on the Olympic stage was as impactful as he was in the NBA. Wembanyama’s individual numbers in the Olympics have been relatively consistent, averaging 15.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
The French team has also showed tremendous heart and passion, overcoming chemistry issues in group play to secure thrilling victories over Canada and Germany en route to the gold medal game.
Team USA Pulling Away
Despite France’s best efforts, “The Avengers” proved to be too much to overcome. The Americans dug deep in the court quarter to win in the most dramatic of fashions. Steph Curry took over the game in the final minutes, hitting four consecutive three-pointers to silence the French crowd and secure the gold medal for Team USA. His clutch performance will forever be remembered in the history of USA Basketball.
The French commentary to Steph's flurry at the end has me in tears 😭
— 30sLegacy (@30sLegacy_) August 12, 2024
“This devil named Curry is hurting us.” https://t.co/M8BDsqSvE8 pic.twitter.com/VqCep1JPL8
Team USA’s Generational Core
The core of Team USA’s basketball squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics represents a generational shift, with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry leading the charge. This trio of NBA superstars accomplished something special together.
LeBron James, participating in what will be his final Olympic Games at the age of 39, has been a fixture of Team USA since his debut at the 2004 Athens Games. With three gold medals to his name, James’ presence on the team earned him the MVP of the tournament. It’s incredible he is still adding to his illustrious NBA resume.
Kevin Durant left Paris as the best USA basketball player of all-time. Durant surpassed Lisa Leslie’s 488 career Olympic points during the quarterfinal game against Brazil, becoming the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. in Olympic competition. With 518 points in his four Olympic appearances, Durant stands alone in U.S. Olympic basketball scoring history.
Stephen Curry, despite his numerous accolades in the NBA, including two MVP awards and four championships, an Olympic gold medal was really the last on his checklist. Curry’s presence on the team was menacing, adding his shooting to an already formidable lineup. He hit every clutch shot required to win gold.
Not Like U.S. 🇺🇸#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/DheWaEl9bh
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 10, 2024
This is too 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/WwWGLh4dKP
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 11, 2024
Riding Into the Olympic Sunset
The combination of James, Durant, and Curry, marked themselves as iconic a trio as Jordan, Magic and Bird. Their collective experience, skillsets, and leadership led the younger generation and have now elegantly passed the torch. Maybe stop debating who is the greatest and enjoy every game they have left. There will never be another trio of legends like this one.
Legacy
Team USA’s victory in Paris 2024 extends their gold medal streak to five consecutive Olympics, this is why so many players dream of being able to make this team at least once. While comparisons to previous Olympic teams, such as the 1992 Dream Team, are inevitable, the 2024 squad has carved its own unique legacy. They provided various moments of excellence and nail biting moments as the competition has increased since 1992.
With the focus on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Team USA faces the challenge of protecting their home floor against the rising talent of the world. The days of simply rolling out a roster of All-Stars and expecting an easy path to gold are done. Even with the American’s best, it took heroics from the all-time greats to win.
Future
The next generation of Team USA leaders is already emerging, with players like Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo poised to take the reins. These young stars have gained valuable experience playing alongside the current core of James, Durant, and Curry, learning how to win when tested.
Team USA will need to adapt to the changing landscape of international basketball. The rise of talented players like Victor Wembanyama and the increasing depth of national teams like France and Serbia has posed significant challenges. However, with a commitment to dominance and a focus on building the right roster, Team USA will face their toughest battle to extend their legacy of success.
Steve Kerr is expected to retire from Team USA, per @esidery
— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) August 11, 2024
Erik Spoelstra is viewed as the “strong internal favorite” to take over 🔥
Will that be enough for Team USA to add another gold medal in 2028? pic.twitter.com/fT1NbR4Qdr
Three players who are expected to make their Team USA debuts at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) August 12, 2024
Paolo Banchero
Chet Holmgren
Cooper Flagg
Keep an eye on the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar as a place where Banchero, Holmgren and Flagg will be their top overall talent as well. pic.twitter.com/HxRXYvm0Rz
Leave A Comment