USA Basketball always aims for one thing: winning another gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
The latest gold, won in Tokyo three years ago, was particularly hard-fought. During those Games, the U.S. faced challenges, trailing Spain by 10 points in the quarterfinals, Australia by 15 points in the semifinals, and narrowly defeating France by five points in the final.
These experiences underline a reality: winning in international basketball is no longer guaranteed for the Americans. This perception is something they are keen to dispel.
U.S. guard Devin Booker acknowledges the competition’s improvement, which fuels their determination and motivation. Despite respecting their opponents, the Americans assert their dominance in basketball.
In Paris, the primary objective remains winning gold. However, there is also a desire to showcase their unparalleled roster strength. The U.S. team comprises 12 All-Star players, including veterans like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, alongside newcomers like Stephen Curry.
Anthony Edwards, a rookie Olympian, expresses his excitement about being part of this historic team. The team’s achievements could be significant, with Durant potentially becoming the first men’s player to win four Olympic gold medals, and James aiming for his fourth Olympic medal.
Moreover, the Americans aspire to achieve a historic fifth consecutive Olympic title, a feat not seen since their initial seven wins from 1936 to 1968.
And everyone around the world is waiting.
Germany holds the title of World Cup champion, securing gold last summer in Manila. Serbia, who the U.S. will face first in France, and Canada also earned medals at the World Cup, with Canada claiming bronze by defeating the Americans.
Then there’s France, the host team, who lost to the U.S. in the Tokyo Games gold-medal match by a score of 87-82. They had beaten the Americans earlier in that tournament and now have the advantage of playing at home, with Victor Wembanyama leading their team.
“I’m excited to compete against them,” Wembanyama said about the Americans.
If they do meet, it will be in the knockout stages. France is in Group B, alongside Germany, Japan, and Brazil. Group A consists of Australia, Greece, Canada, and Spain, widely considered the toughest group. Group C includes the U.S., Serbia, Puerto Rico, and the Olympic debutants South Sudan.
Each team plays against the others in their group. After these three matches, the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, advance to the quarterfinals.
“It brings us back to enjoying the purity of the game and the process of building a 12-man roster,” Curry remarked. “If everyone brings the right energy, we’ll make the most out of this experience.”
