Joel Embiid booed on dais after Steph Curry’s outrageous display

American basketball star Joel Embiid has been targeted by irate French fans throughout the Games, it went next level on Sunday.

Joel Embiid was booed as he received his gold medal. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

While it was Steph Curry who sent the internet into pandemonium, it was Joel Embiid who stole the limelight.

After Team USA captured the men’s basketball gold medal after defeating France 98-87 on Sunday (AEST), French fans turned on Embiid.

Embiid received French citizenship in 2022 so he would be eligible to play for France at this year’s Games.

But in a move that didn’t sit well with French fans the world over, the Philadelphia 76ers big man turned his back on the country as he elected to play for Team USA.

He came under attack as soon as he stepped foot in Paris and during the medal ceremony it reached new heights.

As soon as Embiid’s name was read out a chorus of boos erupted from the stands as the 30-year-old turned to the crowd to fuel the fire.

Embiid wanted all the smoke. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

During the gold medal contest it was Curry who stole the show with a shooting display for the ages as he broke the hearts of 68 million French fans.

In a contest that looked like it was set to go down to the wire after France clawed the margin back to three points with a little under three minutes to play, Curry went super saiyan mode.

Widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time, Curry quietened down the raucous French crowd with a three over Guerschon Yabusele.

With the margin out to six, Curry delivered again as he drained a second three.

He wasn’t done there however as he responded moments later, drilling a wide-open three from the top of the arc before exploding in celebration.

Curry then added an absurd cherry on top of the cake as he hit a falling away three over the outstretched hands of Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier to drive in the final nail in France’s coffin.

“This is extraordinary,” one commentator proclaimed. “Have you ever seen anything like it,” a second added.

Curry put France to bed. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

He is that guy. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Curry finished the contest with 24 points with all of them coming from beyond the arc as he finished 8-14 from the field.

Fans were going crazy with his outrageous fourth quarter, but it was the final shot that sent the internet into pandemonium.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor wrote: “STEPHEN CURRY IS A BASKETBALL GOD.”

News Corps Lachlan McKirdy wrote: “This is outrageous from Steph Curry. Other worldly. Dangled that gold medal in front of France and just ripped it away.”

Basketball writer Josh Eberley wrote: “Steph, there aren’t words, man.”

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne added: “Oh Come on Steph. That last one was ridiculous.”

That’s Ball Folks podcast host Josh Reynolds wrote: “I’ve seen Steph Curry hit some unbelievable shots before, the late 4th quarter takeover was unlike anything I’ve seen. This shot was the biggest cherry on top imaginable. The greatest shooter of all-time. Unreal.”

The living legend Steph Curry pic.twitter.com/Xtf9XgQfJ7

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) August 10, 2024

No man will be happier for Curry’s fourth quarter takeover than Team USA teammate LeBron James.

The NBA megastar found himself on the receiving end of a poster dunk in the early stages of the gold medal contest.

James attempted to draw the charge on Yabusele, but the Frenchman had other ideas as he soared up and over the man known as “The King”.

It’s a moment fans have never seen before as many were quick to point out that Nike would be looking to erase any mention of it from the internet.

Rob Perez wrote on X: “Nike going to erase that Yabu on Bron dunk footage faster than it did the Bulls/Magic series in 1995.”

Another account posted: “Delete the tapes. Nuke the arena when we leave it.”

Lord have mercy. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)

Yabusele left it all out on the floor for his country with he and basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama giving the mighty Team USA all they could handle.

The duo combined for 46 points, but it wasn’t to be for France as their horror shooting ultimately cost them in the end.

France shot 9-30 (30 per cent) from beyond the arc and went 10-17 (58 per cent) from the free throw line, Team USA in contrast went 18-36 (50 per cent) and 8-8 (100 per cent).

With a star-studded crowd in attendance, it was another basketball silver medal for France with America showing why they’re the most dominant force on the hardwood.

Team USA did it. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)

As the medal ceremony got underway, French fans belted out the national anthem as the playing group received their silver medals.

James received the MVP award for the Paris Olympics.

The win makes it five straight gold medals for Team USA in the men’s basketball. The last time they failed to win gold came during the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Americas women’s team can make it eight straight Olympic gold medals when they take on France on Sunday from 11:30pm (AEST).