Are you not entertained, America!? LeBron James hanging a triple-double on Serbia’s head, manning up Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter, and still having the legs to explode to the rim for two huge lay-ins down the stretch? Is that any good? And how about the greatest shooter in basketball history, Steph Curry, going Capitalized Scorched Earth early in the semifinals, and draining key buckets late en route to a game-high 36 points?
Serbia led by as many as 17 points. Team USA was in real danger of a colossal disappointment, and could’ve spoiled a gold medal showdown with hosting France and Victor Wembanyama. Instead, Chef Curry and The King turned back the clock. Thirty-six years of NBA experience between them; make no mistake, they made the rally happen to secure a 95-91 Good Guys victory.
THAT GOLD MEDAL GAME FEELING. 🇺🇸😤 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/tORqplX6SG
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 8, 2024
STEPH CURRY LEADS TEAM USA TO A HUGE COMEBACK WIN OVER SERBIA 🪣
USA advances to the gold medal game against France 🥇 pic.twitter.com/RUEPt2YGVM
— ESPN (@espn) August 8, 2024
Stephen Curry today:
36 PTS (led everyone)
8 REB
2 AST
9 3PM
+20 (led everyone)
12/19 FG
9/14 3PT
88.6% TS
Multiple clutch baskets9-0 in Semifinals Series. 8-0 in Semifinal Elimination Games.
GOATED pic.twitter.com/4xfjtmZRkD
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) August 8, 2024
Not that Serbia is evil, despite producing a borderline cybernetic, almost impossible to root for tennis GOAT in Novak Djokovic. Or a goofy-a** basketball assassin in Jokic, who almost can’t be bothered to play basketball and probably willed Serbia to the Olympic semifinals out of raging anger for having to play more hoops on top of an entire NBA season.
The rest of Jokic’s teammates are heartbroken. He couldn’t be happier to go back home and party with his friends. Only half-kidding.
Anyway, it’s a testament to the persistent greatness of Steph and LeBron that they took over in such a high-leverage defining moment. No matter who was at fault, a USA loss would’ve done untold damage to LeBron’s legacy. Second-guessing about not playing Jayson Tatum and other American superstars would’ve followed Steve Kerr for a long time. So much was on the line.
…And this is what Steph and LeBron did in a 32-15 fourth quarter…
LEBRON JAMES TIES IT UP FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 👑🇺🇸#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC, USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/B3puaz0kmJ
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
STEPHEN. CURRY. TEAM USA LEADS.#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC, USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/C4MUUl1v78
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
LECAPTAIN AMERICA!
Team USA extends their lead over Serbia. #ParisOlympics
📺 NBC, USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/FvYRv6Mw8f
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
That “KABOOM!” call from Curry’s go-ahead trey is one I won’t soon forget.
CHEF CURRY COOKED 🧑🍳
Steph Curry's 36 points are the second most in a game by a USA men's player at the Olympics all-time 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XB3zbsiLpd
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 8, 2024
Seeing Prime LeBron cameo on those two drives to the hoop had me literally screaming and jumping out of my seat. Holy hell.
We’re playing for a gold medal, baby. Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Wemby and all of France better buckle up. The USA prevailing after such a close call has me thinking they’re fully awake and ready to tackle the task at hand.
Steph and LeBron on the same team carrying the country in the clutch pic.twitter.com/VpFhsN6ywI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 8, 2024
