The U.S. men's basketball team defeated host country France in the Olympics championship game, 98-87. The Americans have now won their fifth straight gold medal, being led by LeBron James, 39, Stephen Curry, 36, and Kevin Durant, 35, who all united in what may be the last Olympics of their basketball careers.
The gold medal game is the end of an Era for this country
Kevin Durant - best scorer of this generation
Steph Curry - best shooter of this generation
LeBron James - best player of this generation
Tomorrow is the last time we see these 3 legends represent team USA 🥲💔 pic.twitter.com/DOLtj9HP87
— Emo Jimmy (@HeatCulture13) August 9, 2024
In view of the team captain's performance at the 2024 Paris Games, LeBron has now added to his resume yet another accolade, being named men's Olympic basketball MVP.
The final Olympic Games for LeBron James, at 39 years old:
• Voted USA flag bearer
• Won every single game
• Dropped a triple-double
• Won $37.5K medal bonus
• Named Men's Basketball MVP
• Secured his third Olympic Gold Medal
• Helped Team USA win 5th-straight Gold pic.twitter.com/bYm97KEAtf— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 10, 2024
To note, the 21-year NBA vet led the team with 14.2 points, grabbing 6.8 rebounds, and dishing out 8.5 assists throughout the tournament.
Since 2008, LeBron has now won a RIDICULOUS 21 consecutive winner-take-all games.
👑 6-0 in Game 7's
👑 9-0 in the Olympics
👑 3-0 in the Play-In
👑 3-0 in the In-Season TournamentAs CLUTCH as it gets. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/XUtsc35ReN
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) August 10, 2024
That is to say, the other Akron, Ohio native and one-time rival of King James, Curry, also dominated over the past two games, putting up 60 points (17-for-27 3PT shooting), while his former teammate Durant solidified himself as a Team USA men's basketball all-time great. Notably, KD is now the only player in U.S. history to earn four gold medals, while also scoring the most points out of any American basketball player in the Olympics ever.
Team USA’s Kevin Durant becomes the first player to win four Gold Medals in men’s Olympic basketball history. Durant has also scored the most points in USA Olympic history. The two-time NBA Finals MVP cements himself as the most decorated USA Basketball player ever. pic.twitter.com/SjvYRtbEPr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 10, 2024
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama put up a valiant effort in the loss, scoring 26 points (11-of-19 FG), as the 20-year-old Frenchman will undoubtedly have many more chances in the future to win a gold medal against his NBA counterparts.
Kevin Durant embraces an emotional Victor Wembanyama after USA vs France clash in the #GOLD medal game 👏🏽👏🏽💯 pic.twitter.com/i0dGibZaLJ
— 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢☆ (@Stunna999_) August 10, 2024
Following the team's iconic performance, Curry elaborated on the past Olympic games played in Paris.
"Obviously I understand it was gonna be a really tough task with some great teams that we were gonna have to face, and there's a sense of relief at the end... But it's more like a sense of accomplishment, obviously, knowing what we were able to do."
Players to win an NBA title, NBA MVP, Finals MVP and an Olympic Gold Medal:
Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Magic Johnson
Hakeem Olajuwon
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Shaquille O’NealAnd now… Stephen Curry 🥇 pic.twitter.com/rtbmrIQsuV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 10, 2024
"Having the best time of my life, because, you know, this might not come around again," Curry concluded, while standing beside LeBron and KD on the podium.
Steph, KD, and LeBron recreated the Jordan, Bird, and Magic olympic photo 🔥:
“Me, K and LeBron took the [same] picture that MJ, Larry Bird and Magic took [during the 1992 Olympics]. I can’t wait to get that on my wall and get them to sign it. It’s just an honor knowing what… pic.twitter.com/QhDdGgpWUo
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) July 24, 2024
Related: Team USA Barely Scrapes By In Olympic Semi-Final Comeback Win Over Serbia
