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Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer
PARIS — The American basketball muscle remains strong.
The world has made big strides over the last three decades and there are brilliant talents and developing teams that show great promise. But when Team USA sends its best no one yet has shown they can stop the Yanks.
It is now five straight Olympic golds for the USA after a hard fought 98-87 victory over the resilient and prideful host nation of France Saturday.
The indelible moment came from Steph Curry, who made four uber clutch 3-pointers in a two-minute second stretch of the fourth quarter to turn away a French uprising. Curry assured his first gold with a ridiculous fall away bomb, silencing the home fans with his “put them to sleep” trademark move.
After making nine 3-pointers in the semifinals and putting in 36 points, Curry made 8-of-12 triples in the final for 24 golden points.
It was part of an overall strong all around showing for the U.S. LeBron James, who sported golden shoes, made crucial power and finesse players throughout the game as he scored 14 points with six rebounds and 10 assists.
Kevin Durant, who became the first American male to win four golds, had 15 points and several big baskets.
Devin Booker, who has been an unsung hero throughout the summer, had 15 points. And Anthony Davis had one of the best games with eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
It was the biggest game in the lives of each French player and they played admirably, pressing the U.S. throughout a tight second half. Using pressure defense that stressed the Americans, France cut a double digit deficit to three points before Curry’s heroics sealed it.
Team USA coach Steve Kerr put out his fourth different starting lineup in the six games at the Olympics, going with the MVP 4 of James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Joel Embiid alongside Devin Booker. That was the group that executed most of the comeback against Serbia in the semifinal and gave the U.S. its most versatile offensive lineup.
With France coming in averaging less than 80 points a game during the Olympics, it was clearly the USA game plan to speed up the game and create as high scoring game as possible.
It was a strategy that ended up working as the U.S. made 18-of-36 3-pointers.
Victor Wembanyama, who perhaps represents the greatest hope to unseat the Americans in the future, said that Saturday’s game in the French capital was the “chance of a lifetime” and that his mindset coming into these games was it was “first or failure” for Les Bleus.
His play backed up his words and his potential by delivering one of the best games of his young life. Wembanyama’s presence was felt everywhere, from the opening moments of the game when he drilled a long 3-pointer, his long arms and fearless temperament put a major stamp on the game.
Wembanyama played his best-ever game for the national team, scoring 26 points with seven rebounds. He wiped away tears as the Americans celebrated the win.
Guerschon Yabusele scored 20 points for France, which has won silver in the past two Olympics.