LeBron v Wembanyama: Collision of shooting stars lights up Paris night

Paris: It’s an hour before the men’s basketball final between Team USA and France at Bercy Arena, and just two players are on the court.

At one end is Victor Wembanyama, the 20-year-old, 224-centimetre genetic freak who grew up on the outskirts of Paris and is competing in his first Olympics.

He’s effortlessly caressing in three-pointers for practice, although nobody seems to notice.

At the other is LeBron James, the 39-year-old who made his debut for the USA six months after Wembanyama was born in early 2004.

He’s also effortlessly caressing in three-pointers for practice, his thinning, grey hair the only clues that he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning.

The NBA’s present and future collided in Paris on Saturday night when these giants – literally and figuratively – went at each other for Olympic gold.

LeBron James drives to the basket against Victor Wembanyama.Credit: AP

It was a privilege to be in the stands witnessing two superstars at different points of their careers meet in such an important fixture.

From the moment in 1992 when professional basketballers were allowed to compete at the Olympics, the USA has been expected to wipe the floor with whomever they meet.

When they don’t, like Athens in 2004 when they finished with bronze, the witch hunt is fierce.

James was accused of not being a team player when he first came into the side, although you couldn’t accuse him of such things now: after the warm-up, he returned to the court wearing a pair of gold Nikes, desperate for a piece of matching neck jewellery to go with it.

The USA will forever be favourites to win Olympic gold because of the strength of its domestic league.

Nevertheless, international basketball changes as the NBA changes, with players from all over the world now taking part.

When the Dream Team won gold in 1992, there were nine NBA players sprinkled across the other nations. Now there are 60. Players like Wembanyama, a No.1 draft pick who is thinner than a cigarette paper and glides down the court; whom James simply described as “special” when he first played against him.

France couldn’t solely rely on his size and silky perimeter shooting to upset the USA, so they defaulted to the age-old tactic of aggression and physicality.

The target was Joel Embiid, who is eligible to play for France after being courted by President Emmanuel Macron.

Jimmy Fallon at the basketball match between the USA and France.Credit: AP

He was courtside along with football legend Thierry Henry and three-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner. Also in attendance were former NBA players Scottie Pippen and Carmelo Anthony, along with talk show host Jimmy Fallon and sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson.

Embiid was loudly booed when he ran onto the court, then each time he touched the ball. Although he played up to the crowd, it affected him: he had three consecutive turnovers in the first quarter.

James wasn’t going to be dominated. On one of his first possessions, he barrelled through defenders on his way to the basket, rattling off a dramatic dunk.

Wembanyama responded by gliding down the court and hitting one of those three-pointers he had practised so diligently on his own before tip-off.

LeBron James’ golden Nikes.Credit: Getty Images

Unlike the dramatic semi-final against Serbia, the USA always seemed in control of this match.

Even when France clawed their way back to within three points with three minutes to go, it never felt like they were going to win.

A good night for Steph Curry.Credit: AP

Steph Curry – the captain playing in his first Olympics – rattled off four three-pointers in two minutes to ensure it never happened.

As the seconds wound down, and it was clear LeBron was going to get the gold medal to match his shoes, Curry rested his head in his hands like it was a pillow. In other words, “Good night”.

On full-time, James hugged his family as James Brown’s Living in America blasted through the speakers.

Wembanyama, who was in tears, hugged his mum.

Tickets to the Gunn show

Rachael “Raygun” Gunn went out and breakdanced like nobody was watching. Unfortunately, the entire world was.

Gunn’s performance has become the late talking point of these Games.

In case you missed it, she was competing in the new Olympic sport of “breaking”, even though it won’t be on the program in Los Angeles in 2028. Go figure.

The 36-year-old’s performance was, to quote George Costanza, like a full-body dry heave set to music. It was more interpretative dance than breaking.

“All my moves are original,” Gunn said of the inspiration for her performance. “Creativity is really important to me. I go out there and I show my artistry. Sometimes it speaks to the judges, and sometimes it doesn’t. I do my thing, and it represents art. That is what it is about.”

She was eliminated from the round-robin stage without scoring a point.

We can all have an opinion on whether breaking should be in the Olympics, or whether Gunn deserves a green and gold tracksuit.

But the level of vitriol directed at her was enough for Australian chef de mission Anna Meares to come out firing.

“I love Rachael,” Meares said. “I think that what has occurred on social media, with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them airtime, has been really disappointing.

“She is the best [female breaking competitor] that we have for Australia. Now you look at the history of what we have had, what women athletes have faced in terms of criticism, belittlement, judgment and simple comments like, ‘They shouldn’t be there’.

“One hundred years ago, leading into Paris 1924, Australia sent a team of 37 athletes. None were women. One hundred years later, we have 256 women represented here, and Raygun is an absolutely loved member of this Olympic team.”

Well said.

THE QUOTE
“This is my worst marathon. I have never done a DNF (did not finish). That’s life. Like a boxer, I have been knocked down, I have won, I have come second, eighth, 10th, fifth – now I did not finish.”
— Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, who was chasing a third straight Olympic gold in the event but had to get a taxi to the finish line.

THUMBS UP
What about that run from Jess Hull in the women’s 1500m? A blistering final sprint clinched silver behind Kenyan Faith Kipyegon. She’s the first Australian woman to claim a medal in the event.

Captain Underpants to Webby’s rescue.Credit: Dav Pilkey

THUMBS DOWN
I’ve run out of clean underpants.

It’s a big day in Paris for … the Opals, who will battle Belgium for the bronze in the women’s basketball. It’s worth watching just to farewell Lauren Jackson. France meet the USA in the gold medal match afterwards.

It’s an even bigger day in Paris for … Kaylee McKeown and Matt Wearn, who are worthy flag-bearers for the closing ceremony at the Stade de France. No word yet on whether the naked Papa Smurf with the delicately placed strawberries from the opening ceremony will make an appearance, but god I hope so.

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