Phenomenon LeBron James and magnificent sidekick Steph Curry took centre stage to secure Olympic gold for USA, writes NIK SIMON

He arrived wearing gold trainers and he left wearing a gold medal. LeBron James prowled and postured with grey hairs in his 39-year-old beard as he led the USA to Olympic victory.

James pumped his chest and flexed his muscles, the alpha-spirit in this team, but it was his magnificent sidekick Steph Curry who scored 24 long-range points to end the night as the most valuable player in Paris.

After two weeks of celebrating rock climbers and trampolinists who shine momentarily under the Olympic flame, this felt like a transition back to reality. The sporting superstars were back on the main stage.

Team USA‘s nucleus of James, Curry and Kevin Durant were as iconic as Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos for Brazil, or Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Ma’a Nonu for the All Blacks.

Down one end of the court, Thierry Henry, Teddy Riner and Leon Marchand attempted to fire up the home crowd to inspire France to one of the biggest upsets in history. There were tears for their young 7ft4in giant Victor Wembanyama, who almost scored 26 points as he went blow for blow with America’s all stars.

LeBron James (right) wore gold trainers during Team USA’s Olympic final against France

James, 39, ended the night with a gold medal around his neck after USA won 98-87 in Paris

‘He’s soon going to become one of the great players in the world,’ said Team USA coach Steve Kerr, offering some words of comfort. But for the time-being, the Americans are still king of the court.

Down the other end of the Bercy Arena, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jimmy Fallon and Megan Rapinoe grabbed hold of an American flag as they watched one of the most star-spangled teams ever assembled deliver on everything they promised.

Of course it was James who scored first. Their ageing star does not run as fast or jump as high as he used to but he remains a phenomenon, in his gold trainers. 

He seems immortal, his Olympic career now spanning three decades, but time will soon take over. A farewell at LA 2028? ‘Four years from now? Nah, I can’t see myself playing,’ he said.

Curry’s handling was as smooth as Parisian silk. He hit eight three-pointers and turned to Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen in acknowledgment. 

Pippen was a youngster in America’s dream team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, featuring Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Steph Curry hit 24 of his team’s 98 points in front of 12,000 fans at Bercy Arena on Saturday

Curry (left), James (centre) and Kevin Durant (right) provided the USA with an iconic nucleus

Back in 1992 there were only nine NBA players in opposing Olympic teams but the sport has globalised since then and now there are more than 60. It showed through France’s resistance.

In the second quarter, the French scored eight unanswered points and momentarily took the lead. They dared to dream of a gold medal that would shine as brightly as any they have collected at these games but America pounced on every mistake.

It was fast and furious. Durant’s alley-oop to Anthony Edwards appeared effortless and his defensive blocks put him on course for the fourth gold medal of his career. But it was Curry’s late show of swagger that lit up the arena, restoring normal order in the land of the sporting giants.