Team USA is undoubtedly the favorite to win the gold medal in the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament. Curiously, it will be the Americans who will have their backs against the wall when they face the host country, France, in the finals on Saturday.
Stephen Curry , fresh off a scintillating performance in the semifinals against Serbia, scoring 36 points highlighted by nine booming triples, knows the Bercy Arena in Paris will be a madhouse come Saturday night.
However, he's confident the team will not be rattled, especially the battle-tested veterans who have experience going into enemy territory and emerging victorious, whether in the NBA or in international competitions.
Grizzled veterans
The Olympic basketball competition's finale will be one to watch, with the hosts, France, looking to cap off their impressive campaign with a gold medal hanging from their necks. With thousands in the arena and millions more outside cheering their every move, the Les Bleus will definitely have the advantage of a home court.
However, Team USA is no stranger to playing in hostile environments. With superstars like Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant, who have all faced pressure-packed situations in the NBA playoffs, they know how to thrive in high-stakes games.
"I bet you all 12 of us could find one game where we went into a hostile environment," Steph stressed after their harrowing 95-91 win over Serbia that clinched their spot in the gold-medal game.
As a prime example, the "Chef" cited LeBron conquering the Golden State Warriors at the Oracle Arena in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. Another would be his team's incredible title-clinching performance in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden.
"Wherever you aim it, somebody's going to have a building that they went into and had to get a win, and we're all going to have to do it together against France on their own court," the two-time NBA MVP stated.
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Curry special
With the shorter three-point line and the bevy of superstars, including LeBron and KD, flanking him, many surmised Steph would have a sizzling debut in the Olympics.
He eventually got plenty of help down the stretch from "The King" and KD as the three hoop icons combined to score Team USA's last 13 points.
"That's the beauty of Team USA and FIBA and this whole experience. Every game has been somebody different. It's going to be somebody different, with, hopefully, everybody contributing on Saturday," Curry shared.
Saturday's finale will be a daunting experience for the Americans, who will face off not only against France's basketball team but also the loud and passionate home crowd. But with the team's chemistry and determination, they are ready to fight for the gold medal.
Related: "The duo we needed to see in our lifetime" - NBA fans go crazy over viral Stephen Curry-LeBron James photo after win vs. Serbia
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