The streak started by Redeem Team continues. In Beijing 2008 Kobe Bryant and LeBron James led the US to redemption after the resounding flop in Athens, bringing gold back overseas. Sixteen years after The King, with the decisive contribution of Stephen Curry and Kevin Duranttakes Team USA to the top step of the podium, for what is the fifth consecutive Olympic title. After a clean run during the preparation, albeit with some lapses (see the friendly with South Sudan almost lost), a dominated group in Lille and the walk in the quarterfinals with Brazil, in the semifinal with Serbia Team USA risked a lot but the final epilogue chased away all the ghosts. The charge of the Bercy Arena was not enough for the host France to overturn the predictions. Victor Wembanyama (he will finish with 26 points and 7 rebounds), a rising star of world basketball, tries to take his team on his shoulders, putting Embiid in difficulty, but the block by LeBron James at the dawn of the match and a Kevin Durant – this time in the starting five – immediately hot make it clear that much more will be needed. France, however, believes, and manages to stay in the game, also because Yabusele confirms his evening and at half-time the scoreboard says 49-41. The USA tries to escape and even takes a +13 lead at the start of the third quarter with the three tenors putting on a show.
Anthony Davis’ entrance gives solidity in the paint but as often happens, when they are in control, the Americans break away a bit: Durant’s lightness at the buzzer allows the French to show up at the last quarter two possessions away (72-66). KD and Holiday’s triples try to push their rivals back, LeBron’s dunk for 82-72 could be the decisive push but the French remain attached and with three minutes left there are only three points of difference (82-79). But as with Serbia, Curry takes the stage from the arc: four consecutive triples, 24 total points, a verdict. It ends 98-87, 14 points and 10 assists for James, 15 points for Durant. For the Big Three, together for the first time, the Olympics ends in glory. They won’t be in Los Angeles but even in 4 years Team USA will always be the team to beat.