Following the failure of the United States to win a medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a collection of the best American players, headlined by Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, joined forces to form a stacked “Avengers” lineup.
With chatter of the rest of the world catching up to USA Basketball, this collection of NBA superstars wanted to leave no doubt that American basketball reigns supreme and bring home their fifth straight gold in the most prestigious international tournament.
USA Basketball was tested throughout the Olympics but remained on top, going undefeated in the exhibition showcase, group play and the knockout rounds en route to gold.
Curry finished the tournament as USA Basketball’s leading scorer (14.8 PPG), becoming the only NBA player in program history to combine for 60 points in the semifinals and finals.
“We have the most incredible group of players,” Head Coach Steve Kerr said.
“We might be the only team in the world whose fans are ashamed of them if they get a silver medal. That’s the pressure that we face. But our players and you saw Steph, they love the pressure. They appreciate this atmosphere and they were fantastic.”
Specifically for Curry, it was his first time on this Olympic stage and the experience lived up to the hype.
“A lot of relief,” Curry said after capturing his first Olympic gold medal.
“It wasn’t easy, but I’m excited. Everything I wanted it to be and more.”
Curry became one of nine players to win an Olympic gold medal and also have an NBA title, NBA MVP and Finals MVP. When you account for his four NBA championships and two MVPs, he becomes just one of five players along with LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Bill Russell.
Given the stakes, his tremendous shotmaking and his clutch takeover, Coach Kerr believes Curry’s performance in the final against France was among the greatest of his illustrious career.
“It’s right up there with all of the greatest games of his career,” Kerr said.
“The shotmaking was just incredible. Under the circumstances, on the road, in Paris against France for a gold medal — this is storybook stuff. That’s what Steph does. He likes to be in storybooks.”
James has witnessed Curry firsthand on a championship stage several times, but sharing the court with him as teammates this time was a much more enjoyable experience.
“You just marvel at his talent,” James said.
“I’ve seen it before on the opposite side. But having him on your side, you just try to keep finding him, keep getting him the ball.”
Durant has had the luxury of sharing the court with Curry on basketball’s biggest stages. The duo have won two NBA championships together, a FIBA World Cup and now captured an Olympic gold medal.
Most impressively, they have not lost an elimination game together, going 3-0 with the Warriors, 4-0 in the 2010 FIBA World Cup and 3-0 in the Paris Games. Through all those experiences together, this 2024 USA Basketball group stands out for Durant as the best collection of talent he’s played with.
“Special group of guys,” Durant said. “The best team I’ve ever been a part of.”
