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Steph Curry’s journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics started quietly but ended with a bang. Despite a slow beginning, Curry delivered a phenomenal finish, amassing a total of 60 points in the semifinals and final. His performance, which included 17-of-26 shooting from beyond the arc, helped secure the U.S. men’s basketball team’s fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a 98-87 victory over France.

Curry’s standout performances in the final stages were a testament to his skill and determination, making the most of what might be his only Olympics appearance. The U.S. men’s basketball team, although facing tougher competition from other nations, continued to dominate on the Olympic stage.

The U.S. men’s team maintained its streak of Olympic golds, showcasing its dominance despite increased competition. USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill faces the challenge of ensuring continued success in future tournaments, including the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. France, with high expectations and talented players like Victor Wembanyama, redeemed itself after a shaky group stage. The French team secured a silver medal, a significant achievement given their recent struggles and the pressure to perform on home soil.

Serbia continued its strong basketball tradition, winning the bronze medal. With standout performances from three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Serbia demonstrated its status as a formidable contender in international basketball. LeBron James was named the tournament MVP, proving at 39 years old that he remains a top player with his playmaking and defensive skills. Kevin Durant, achieving his fourth Olympic gold, solidified his place among the greatest basketball Olympians, leading the U.S. with his scoring and rebounding.

LeBron James averaged 14.2 points, 8.5 assists, and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 66% from the field. Steph Curry averaged 14.8 points, shooting 50% from the field and 47.8% from three-point range. Nikola Jokic averaged 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 8.7 assists, shooting 53.8% from the field. Dennis Schroder of Germany averaged 17.2 points and 7.5 assists. Victor Wembanyama from France averaged 15.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks.

Canada, with high expectations and a roster featuring NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, failed to advance past the quarterfinals, finishing fifth after winning bronze at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Germany, despite a strong performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, saw its hopes for a medal in Paris dashed, losing to France in the semifinals and Serbia in the bronze medal game. Australia, which had a 24-point lead against Serbia in the quarterfinals, saw its medal hopes crumble with a loss. After winning bronze in Tokyo, Australia was poised for another strong finish but fell short.

Nikola Jokic, despite his impressive tournament performance, chose not to engage with the media throughout the Games. Unlike other stars such as LeBron James and Steph Curry, Jokic’s absence from interviews was noted as a missed opportunity for fans and media alike. Spain, which finished 10th, faced a significant drop from its past successes. The country, once dominant with past Olympic medals, now faces the challenge of reasserting itself in international basketball.

Key Points:

i. Steph Curry delivered a stellar finish to the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring 60 points in the semifinals and final, leading the U.S. to a gold medal in men’s basketball.

ii. The U.S. men’s basketball team secured its fifth consecutive gold medal, while France won silver and Serbia took bronze.

iii. LeBron James was named MVP of the tournament, showing he remains a top player at 39, and Kevin Durant earned his fourth Olympic gold medal.

iv. Canada, Germany, Australia, and Spain faced disappointments, with Canada finishing fifth, Germany and Australia failing to secure medals, and Spain finishing 10th.

v. Nikola Jokic’s refusal to engage with the media contrasted with other stars, marking a notable aspect of the tournament.

Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News