SAN FRANCISCO (USA) – One of the most heartwarming stories in international basketball this summer was the bonding between longtime NBA rivals LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
USA coach Steve Kerr even went so far as to call it a "bromance."
James, 39, and Curry, 36, entered the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament for Paris 2024 as two of the most celebrated players in the sport's history—arguably the two most influential of the last 20 years.
They had the same aim in France, to win the gold medal. And thanks to the performances of each, they achieved it, showing tremendous support for each other along the way.
“It was a bromance," Kerr said, when asked about the pair after Curry and his Golden State Warriors played James and the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA pre-season game.
So much respect. It clicked from day one
"There is so much respect. There has been for so long. But until you are playing on the same team, you do not know what it is going to be like. It clicked from day one."
There is a special magic that often comes into play when players link up with their national teams, and the James/Curry bromance was evidence of that.
While Curry was arguably the best player in the USA's toughest two games, at the end, over Serbia in the Semi-Finals and then France in the Gold Medal Game, James was indisputably the MVP of the tournament.
James was in fact named the MVP after averaging a team-high 23.5 Efficiency Per Game, while Curry made the All-Star Five after hitting a combined 17 of 26 (65.4%) from behind the arc in the last two games. He finished with 36 points in a 95-91 come-from-behind triumph over Serbia, and 24 in the 98-87 win over France, with 4 of 4 from three in the final 3 minutes.
In those key moments of games, when the Americans faced adversity, James and Curry formed an unbeatable one-two punch.
Kerr also marveled at the work ethic and overall approach of James, who remains in top form as he nears his 40th birthday on December 30.
"LeBron was as professional as anybody I have ever been around in my life, in his approach to everything," Kerr said.
"Every morning, I would go to the gym, work out, early, at seven o’clock. LeBron would be there with his trainer. Practice is at ten. There is a reason he is doing what he is doing at 39. The way he would approach practice and shoot around, talk in film sessions, engage his teammates, and lead, is very similar to Steph in that. I think LeBron is more vocal, but there is an inherent leadership immediately apparent with both guys. It was impressive to watch."
It was impressive to watch
While James captured the Olympic gold medal for the third time in his career, Curry did so for the first, although he had won FIBA Basketball World Cups in 2010 and 2014.
Both superstars thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing for the national team this summer. They clearly expressed this during their media day interviews, stating that they felt ready, confident, and rejuvenated by the unique journey.
FIBA