C-40
NEW AGE POSTING
Team USA wins fifth straight men's basketball gold medal
USA
The American basketball muscle remains strong. The world has made big strides over the past 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 on Saturday.
While Curry was the hero, 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. LeBron James named Olympics MVP after scoring 14 points with six rebounds and 10 assists. It added to his 4 NBA MVPs, 4 Finals MVPs, 3 NBA All-Star Game MVPs and the only In-Season Tournament championship in history. James averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists on 66% shooting in the Olympics.
James earned his third career gold and fourth Olympic medal overall, joining Durant as the only American male with four. 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 as he locked in his second gold. Booker had a plus-18 plus/minus for the game and was plus-76 in the Olympics. Anthony Davis had one of the best games with 8 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, and also took him his second gold.
FRANCE
Victor Wenbanyama, 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 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 and later vowed to use the experience for the future. 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 disturbed Team USA and forced 17 turnovers, the biggest flaw in the game that kept the door open for the home team as they repeatedly chopped the lead down. Guerschon Yabusele scored 20 points for France, which has won silver in the past two Olympics.
Click Here For Full Story
