NAKOPO ng United States ang kanilang ika-5 sunod na Olympic men’s basketball crown makaraang pataubin ang France, 98-87, noong Sabado.
Ito na ang ika-17 Olympic golds ng US.
Sa rematch ng Tokyo Olympics finals, tatlong taon na ang nakalilipas, muling pinatunayan ni LeBron James at ng US team na tinatampukan ng NBA stars ang kanilang dominasyon sa France, sa kabila ng pagsisikap ni sensational NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.
Tinapyas ng France ang 14-point deficit sa tatlo, may 3.04 minuto ang nalalabi sa put-back dunk ni Wembanyama subalit isinalpak ni Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry ang isang three-pointer, may tatlong minuto ang nalalabi, tungo sa panalo ng United States.
Tumapos si Curry na may walong three-pointers — kabilang ang rainbow kontra tumatalon na si Wembanyama — at pinangunahan ang US sa scoring na may 24 points.
“You just simply marvel,” sabi ni James patungkol kay Curry. “Having him on your side, you just try to get stops and figure out other ways on the other end but keep finding him, keep getting him the ball.”
Sinabi ni Curry sa kanyang late-game heroics na: “I was just trying to settle us down.”
“All we wanted to do was get a good shot,” ani Curry. “It had been a while since we had a good possession. “(Finally) the momentum was on our side. At that point, your mind goes blank. You don’t really care about setting or the scenario or anything. It’s just a shot.”
Nagdagdag sina Kevin Durant at Devin Booker ng tig-15 points at nagdagdag si James ng 14 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal at 1 block.
Para kay Durant, isa itong US men’s record fourth Olympic gold. Nakopo ni James ang kanyang ikatlo, at ito ang una ni Curry, isang four-time NBA champion, sa kanyang unang Olympic appearance.
“There’s a lot of relief,” sabi ni Curry. “It wasn’t easy but, damn, I’m excited, man. This is everything that I wanted it to be and more, so I’m excited.”
Si Wembanyama ay nasa kanyang best offensive game sa Olympics, na may 26 points. Nagdagdag si Guerschon Yabusele ng 20.