In a performance that will be remembered for years to come, Steph Curry led Team USA to a gold medal victory in the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball final, securing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. The Golden State Warriors star was in top form, particularly in the final minutes of the game, where his clutch shooting against France sealed the win for the Americans. But with greatness comes debate: Did this victory elevate Curry to the status of the greatest of all time (GOAT), or does he still have something to prove?
The final against France was a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading blows throughout the game. The French squad, led by their own basketball phenom, Victor Wembanyama, and veteran shooter Evan Fournier, refused to back down, keeping the score close and challenging the Americans at every turn. But as the game reached its climax, it was Curry who stepped up and delivered when it mattered most.
With Team USA clinging to a 93-87 lead and just 36 seconds left on the clock, Curry found himself double-teamed by France’s Nicolas Batum and Fournier. Most players would have looked for an escape route, but not Curry. Instead, he did what he does best—he launched a three-pointer that sailed through the hoop, effectively putting the game out of reach for France and sealing the gold medal for Team USA.
Steph Curry with the dagger over two defenders. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/isK7Ess8sW
— Positive Residual (@presidual) August 10, 2024
The shot was vintage Curry, a combination of confidence, skill, and audacity that has defined his career. It was also a moment that left his teammates, including Anthony Edwards, in awe. Edwards humorously recounted the moment during Curry’s Instagram Live celebration, jokingly saying, “Hey, that n***a shot that ball with two people. I’m on the bench like, hold on, I know he hot, but hey, buddy just [shot it].” Edwards, clearly amazed by Curry’s boldness, playfully suggested that Curry should have followed up the shot with his signature “night-night” gesture to taunt the defenders.
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As the celebration continued, Steph Curry reflected on the significance of the victory. “We’re about to go out and get our gold medal. This is the one and done, baby. Gold medal. You do it like that,” Steph Curry said, beaming with pride. His comments underscored just how much this achievement meant to him, particularly given that this was his first and possibly only Olympic appearance.
Curry’s leadership was evident throughout the game. He finished as Team USA’s top scorer with 24 points, adding five assists and two steals to his stat line. His impact was felt most in the pivotal fourth quarter, where his four three-pointers—including the dagger that sealed the win—were the difference between victory and a potential upset.
But while Curry’s heroics are undisputed, the question remains: Does this Olympic gold medal, coupled with his storied NBA career, solidify him as the GOAT? His resume is already packed with accolades—four NBA championships, two MVP awards (one unanimous), and now an Olympic gold medal. Yet, the debate rages on.
Curry’s supporters argue that his ability to revolutionize the game with his three-point shooting, combined with his consistent performance in high-pressure situations, makes him the greatest of all time. His detractors, however, point to the fact that Steph Curry has often had the benefit of playing alongside other superstars, and question whether he would have achieved the same success without them.
What cannot be denied is that Curry’s performance in the 2024 Olympics was nothing short of legendary. In leading Team USA to gold, he proved once again that he is one of the game’s greatest players. Whether this places him above other basketball legends is a matter of personal opinion, but one thing is clear: Steph Curry’s legacy is as golden as the medal he now wears around his neck.
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