The 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament was a thrilling spectacle, with the United States getting the gold medal as expected. Their star-studded lineup proved too intimidating for the competition, yet the tournament was more than just an American show.
Players from various nations showed standout performances, leaving a lasting impact on fans and setting the stage for the upcoming NBA season.
Let’s go through the major winners and losers from the Paris Olympics Basketball and what their performances might signal for the NBA.
Paris Olympics Basketball Winners
1. Stephan Curry
The Golden State Warriors may not be favored to win the next NBA title, but Stephan Curry solidified his position among the NBA’s elite. He gave stunning performance in Team USA’s final two games, scoring 36 and 24 points, respectively.
Curry’s clutch shooting, particularly his four three-pointer, a signature fadeaway over tight defense, sealed the victory and showcased his brilliance.
Team USA relied on Curry during important moments, and he delivered. This Olympic gold medal was the missing piece in extraordinary career.
2. LeBron James
LeBron James was Team USA’s standout player even at 39. His playmaking skills were on full display, highlighted by a behind-the-back pass to Devin Booker in the final – a classic LeBron move.
LeBron also proved that he’s still a dominant scorer. He was unstoppable when driving to the basket and overpowering defenders in this post.
His Olympic performance displays that he has plenty left in the tank, much to the delight of Lakers fans, especially with Anthony Davis also excelling defensively and showcasing a newfound three-point shot.
3. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant became the all-time leading scorer in USA Olympic history during the quarterfinals. In the tournament’s most important moments, he reminded everyone why he’s nearly impossible to guard one-on-one.
Durant’s clutch isolation jumper in the closing moments of the USA’s nail-biting win over Serbia was the defining shot of the game.
4. Victor Wembanyama
Though Victor Wembanyama’s team fell short in the gold medal game, his performance was nothing short of spectacular. He led all scores with 26 points on 57.9% shooting and was at times simply unguardable.
With the height of 7’4”, Wembanyama’s agility and skill are beyond belief for someone his size. At just 20 years old, he was not only the best defender in the tournament but also one of the top scorers.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Despite lacking a strong supporting cast, Giannis Antetokounmpo single-handedly led Greece to the knockout stage. He was the tournament’s top scorer, averaging 25.8 points per game while shooting an incredible 67.8% from the field.
His dominance bodes well for the Milwaukee Bucks, especially as the Eastern Conference has become even more competitive.
6. Guerschon Yabusele
Guerschon Yabusele earned a career-defining moment by dunking on LeBron James in the gold medal game. As France’s second-best player behind Wembanyama, Yabusele used his strength to dominate, scoring 20 points in the final.
Paris Olympics Basketball Losers
1. Jamal Murray
Canada was expected to challenge Team USA, but instead, they were eliminated by France in the quarterfinals. Jamal Murray’s poor shooting was a main factor in their early exit.
He shot just 29.0% throughout the tournament, averaging a mere 6.0 points per game, including a dismal 3-of-13 performance against France.
Murray’s struggles come at a critical time, as he’s eligible for a four-year, $209 million extension. Once seen as a no-brainer, the Denver Nuggets may now be more hesitant to commit following his extended slump.
2. Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert, expected to be France’s co-star, was largely a non-factor. He played just 21 minutes in France’s final three games, including only 12 minutes in the gold medal game, where he scored just two points.
3. Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum, fresh off an NBA championship and a First Team All-NBA selection, surprisingly played a limited role for Team USA. He did not even see action in two of their six games.
Tatum’s mother reportedly asked the coach to give him more playing time, a sign of his frustration. While he got more minutes in the gold medal game, he was ineffective, scoring just two points in 11 minutes before being taken over.
Also read: Diving into the USA Men Swimming Medals: Bobby Finke Saves 120-Year Olympic Gold Streak
