LeBron James, Stephen Curry and more stars lead US to gold medal victory over France

It must be the shoes.

Wearing these metallic gold sneakers, LeBron James would of course not leave the Bercy Arena with anything less than an Olympic title.

The Lakers superstar won his third Olympic gold medal on Saturday, leading the United States to a 98-87 victory over host France. The United States has won five consecutive gold medals, the last two against France.

James, who had 14 points with 10 assists and six rebounds, won his first since 2012. Fellow Lakers star Anthony Davis anchored the defense against French star Victor Wembanyama with eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Twelve years ago, the future Lakers teammates won their first gold medal together.

Twelve years ago, the future Lakers teammates won their first gold medal together in London. In 2008, James found redemption with his first gold medal, making up for a bronze in 2004. When asked how the Paris victory compared to the others, a teammate running behind him gave him an assist: “It’s the best.”

James agreed: “Because it’s the right thing to do right now.”

“We had our moment,” James continued. “This is what we wanted.”

The U.S. players linked arms as they climbed in unison to the top of the Olympic podium. James bowed his head to accept his gold medal, then placed an imaginary crown on his head. As the team posed together in midfield, James sat front and center, biting down on his medal.

It was the first Olympic medal ceremony for Stephen Curry, who had 24 points and put an emphatic exclamation point on his first — and likely last — Olympic experience. He sank four 3-pointers in the final 2:47 to secure the victory while fending off a late French comeback attempt. Kevin Durant, who scored 15 points, called Curry’s night an “out-of-body performance.” After he drained his third point as the shot clock expired, U.S. teammates mimicked Curry’s famous “night-night” celebration, holding their hands together as if sleeping on a pillow.

“USA is still the best team in the world,” said French forward Nicolas Batum. “But we are getting closer.”

James returned to the Olympics after a 12-year hiatus at the request of Grant Hill, who made his pitch as managing director of U.S. men’s basketball. With the sport more globalized than ever, the United States needed to bring its best players to Paris to reassert its dominance after a disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup.

The United States overwhelmed France with their relentless NBA star power. France hoped to survive thanks to the determination and strength of Wembanyama (26 points, seven rebounds) and Guerschol Yabusele (20 points).

Yabusele, a tough power forward and the son of a professional Congolese boxer, tried to beat every American boxer with his own punch.

James deflected one of his shots and plowed over him with a spin move in the lane. Yabusele responded by dunking on the Lakers superstar, drawing a foul and completing the three-point play. Trailing by six with 3:32 remaining, Yabusele was fouled on a drive to the basket. Instead of falling to the ground, he steadied himself, wiped his chin and shouted to the fans waving French flags just behind the basket. They all rose to their feet and showered the 2016 first-round draft pick of the Boston Celtics with chants of “MVP.”

Fans have been packed to the rafters for every basketball game since the sport took over the Bercy Arena for the knockout stages. Arena staff have placed French flags on every seat in the section behind one of the baskets. Fans have banged a drum, chanted the entire game and waved giant posters of players’ heads.

Although finally calmed down, many French fans remained in their seats to watch their team claim their fourth Olympic silver medal during the medal ceremony. France has never won an Olympic basketball gold medal, but players still heard their national anthem as fans sang it together.

Glassy-eyed, the French players saluted the crowd as they retreated to the locker room. Wembanyama buried his head in his mother’s shoulder as she reached over the front-row railing to pull her son into a long embrace.

James also embraced his family. He danced with his 9-year-old daughter, Zhuri, courtside. He hugged former NBA star Carmelo Anthony. James won his last Olympic medal with Anthony courtside.

The 39-year-old never imagined he would be playing on this stage in Paris. Even with Los Angeles as the next host, he said he can’t see himself playing again. In a final salute, he tugged at the corners of his shirt as he walked off the pitch and held up the three letters on his chest to the crowd.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.