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Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer
PARIS – The original and the classic sequel, with high drama and star-studded heroes in the final act. But just waiting for the possible trilogy in Hollywood.
Three summers ago at the Tokyo Olympics, Kevin Durant scored 29 points in a brilliant gold medal game performance to hold off France for a five-point win to bring the gold back to the US.
On Saturday night, in the national arena of France with the teams separated by three points in the fourth quarter, Steph Curry added to his Hall of Fame legacy with a 3-point shooting display that sealed the USA’s 98-87 victory and launched France a thousand. weep.
Now, in the shift to American soil when LA28 is in focus, as well as the fact that Team France and Team USA are in an ever-increasing rivalry that never ends.
“The US is still the best team in the world, but we’re getting closer,” Nicolas Batum said after his final match as a French player. “We respect them, but we’re not afraid of them. We’re just going to go out there and try to beat them.”
Since 2004, Team USA has gone 36-1 in the Olympics. Their only loss was to France in Tokyo when they played in the pool. They have come back to win the next two meetings, which have high stakes, and force the French back with the silver medal. But French basketball is definitely on the rise, and four years from now the challenge for the U.S. can only get bigger.
In the 2023 and ’24 drafts, five French players were taken in the lottery by NBA teams, including two straight No. 1 overall picks: Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher.
In June, big man Alex Sarr was number 2 for the French double to open the draft. And next year, ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony projects young French guard Nolan Traore to be another lottery pick for Team France.
“Honestly, (in the title game) I hope again to have shown that we can (beat the USA), but you have to play a perfect game, (and) we didn’t do it, that’s all. ,” said Vincent Collet, who has been coach of the French national team for the past 15 years. “But I really think with a little more, we can push them a little more. OK, no. But we’re not too far off. I’m sure we can do better. … have a real edge with individual talent.”
Collet is known for being blunt. These statements are empirically correct, but they stop short of saying the bottom line: America’s frontier with individual talent is under threat.
This is where Wembanyama, once again, is in the spotlight. Overall, he did not have a dominant performance in the Paris match. In fact, for a month he was part of a disappointing performance for France as the team almost broke down in the face of immense pressure to deliver at home.
But over the past week, Wembanyama has shown why he is one of the most exciting players in the world.
His performance in the gold medal game was heartening, as he showed no signs of fear. He scored a game-high 26 points, added seven rebounds and, as expected, gave the US all kinds of problems with his length and ability to continue on defense.
Team USA’s best players this cycle are legends Durant, Curry and Olympic MVP LeBron James who carried America to gold in their mid-to-late 30s. France’s best player is 20.
America also has excellent young talent. This summer, Anthony Edwards took another step forward as one of the program’s big players. Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis both have two gold medals and explained that they are interested in the possibility of playing in Los Angeles in 2028. Tyrese Haliburton slowed down in the Olympics due to a minor leg injury – Team USA did not announce. but had an MRI, the source said – and caught in the numbers game, but still has a future with the program. There is also Ja Morant, a forgotten option for the past two years but another potential member of the national team.
At Team USA’s training camp, there was a promise of a possible 2025 No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg, who could also be a factor in four years.
USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill is expected to remain with the program and lead the team through the 2027 World Cup in Qatar — the U.S. hasn’t medaled at the event since 2014 — and the Los Angeles Games. But it must be a new coach.
US coach Steve Kerr added gold medals to his four rings as coach of the Golden State Warriors and five NBA championships as a player. He joked about retiring as national team coach Saturday night and the final decision has not been announced, but it could be headed in that direction. This year’s top assistant coaches, Erik Spoelstra and Ty Lue, are the best candidates to take over.
Everything is a business for the future, and there is a lot of uncertainty. But one thing is for sure Team USA will see France (and especially Wembanyama) again, and once again, there is probably gold on the line.
“No one knows what will happen, but we are definitely growing. Basketball is growing here,” said Wembanyama. “Nobody will take (this experience) away from me. I’m learning and I’m worried about my opponents for a few years.”
