Paris Olympics: Steph Curry’s Heroics In The Gold Medal Game

Stephen Curry, widely regarded as the greatest shooter in basketball history, carried the flag for the United States at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, and fittingly, he helped close it out in spectacular fashion. Leading Team USA Men’s Basketball to Olympic gold, Curry put on a dazzling performance, scoring 28 points and hitting eight three-pointers, many of which were nothing short of extraordinary. His four clutch threes in a two-minute span during the 4th quarter were especially jaw-dropping, and his trademark celebration after each one was a fitting exclamation point to his masterclass performance.

The United States has had an outstanding Olympics, having won 122 medals so far, 30 more than the next closest nation. While stars like Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles shone brightly, Curry’s performance in the gold medal game was equally deserving of the spotlight.

Men’s USA Basketball is often in a challenging position, expected to win by a wide margin despite the rising global talent in the sport. However, no team can match the depth of the USA. With a roster full of superstars, including LeBron James, one of the greatest players of all time, and MVPs Kevin Durant and Curry, the team is stacked with talent. Even Jayson Tatum, Boston’s main star and a perennial MVP candidate, was rarely used, underscoring the depth of this squad.

Despite winning four consecutive Olympic golds leading up to this summer and constantly being compared to the legendary ’92 Dream Team, this USA team faced its share of challenges. Yet, they rose to the occasion, representing the Stars and Stripes with pride and determination.

Other key contributions in the gold medal game came from Kevin Durant, who hit several clutch shots, and Anthony Davis, who dominated defensively with four blocks and 10 rebounds. Devin Booker added 15 points, playing tenaciously on both ends of the court, while LeBron James scored 14 points and dished out 10 assists, showcasing his leadership by playing selfless, team-oriented basketball. Still, the spotlight remained on Curry, who deserved much of the praise.

Curry’s impact on the tournament was undeniable. In the semifinal, Team USA found themselves in a dire situation, trailing Nikola Jokic’s Serbia by double digits through three quarters. It was Curry who sparked the comeback, scoring 36 points in a performance that Durant described as “Godlike.” His barrage of threes single-handedly carried the team to the final, where he continued his heroics.

The final game against France was a tough battle, with the French team applying relentless pressure and defensive stars like Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama making life difficult for the USA. However, Curry remained unfazed. Using his signature head fakes, footwork, and shooting ability, he found just enough space to knock down eight of his twelve three-point attempts.

The most incredible moment came with just 33 seconds left in regulation. With the USA leading by only six points, Curry faced a double team on the perimeter. Despite being smothered by Evan Fournier and another defender, Curry somehow managed to dribble to his right, fake, and launch an arching shot from six feet behind the three-point line. The ball swished through the net, sealing the victory and the gold medal for Team USA.

In the end, Curry’s brilliance ensured that the United States remained the dominant force in international basketball, solidifying his legend and the team’s status as the best in the world.