By Michel Dalí, special correspondent The depth of the Americans’ wardrobe, who have a multi-award-winning coach, is extraordinary. The constellation is such that it lines up alternately when one of its stars goes off the rails.
This was the case yesterday with the emotional duel against Serbia, which made coach Steve Kerr’s hair stand on end, who won five rings as a player in the NBA and four in his current role with the Golden State Warriors.
Stephen Curry unleashed his power as soon as he could make adjustments to his three-point shooting position. A couple of steps back and a large part of his crucial 36 points were scored from long distance. However, it was not enough to stop an inspired Serbian team, led by the NBA MVP of the previous season, Nikola Jovic, along with Bogdanovic, Avramovic, Micic and Guduric.
A final score worthy of a great game, 96-91, with the essential contribution of Joel Embiid, who gave Curry a helping hand, in addition to the late, but important, reaction of Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
Durant, by the way, is aiming for his fourth Olympic title and Curry, who missed Tokyo 2020 due to injury, is looking for his first. All this, betting on an unbeatable Dream Team, something that France wants to ruin.
Victor Wemby Wembanyama, NBA Rookie of the Year and a great promise for the San Antonio Spurs, wants to change the dynamic in favour of the French. His performance in the Olympic competition was not particularly outstanding, although his presence is indispensable.
Being in an Olympic final here, at home, is part of a dream come true. It is a big part of the objective we set ourselves a couple of months ago. But we have the opportunity to write history in a much broader way. It is definitely an exceptional aspiration in life, the 20-year-old giant, 2.24 metres tall, told the press.
An adventure that France is approaching more with the mystique of the host, the frenetic support of its public, than with sporting arguments. Voluntarism has almost never worked in sport if it is not supported by the capacity and level of the players.
The French, led by Vincent Collet, have already tasted silver in Tokyo and are aiming to change the colour of the medal in Paris 2024. However, a possible brilliance from Wemby and the vital offensive contribution of Guerschon Yabusele, Isaia Cordinier, Evan Fournier and the veteran Batum will not be enough for them.
They cannot be deprived of the merits of beating two of the most difficult opponents in the tournament, Canada and Germany in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively, although one cannot forget the almost fatal slip against Japan, whom they beat in overtime.
The irregularity of the French is no less than that of the United States. With the huge difference of a squad so deep that Kerr can call on Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday or Anthony Edwards at any time.
“It’s impressive the changes they’ve made in their style (…), they’re very physical, they’re playing really hard. We have to be prepared for that physical level and overcome it,” said Kerr.
Crazy things can happen, it’s a final and we have to be alert, said Curry, recalling that the Dream Team is playing for the fifth consecutive time for the Olympic gold medal. In Paris, it was proven that the best in the world are there.
The reason that explains the tight competition is quite simple. The entry of players from all latitudes into the NBA has widened the range of the competition and the cast of its stars is comprehensive. It is no longer so easy for the Dream Team to sweep and France will try to prevent it this Saturday at the Bercy Arena.
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