There was a talk of the world catching up. France even came within touching distance of triumph. For a split second, one might have thought the power could shift. But the throne didn’t move, because Team USA didn’t want to give it up. The resilience of the LeBron James-led men’s team came first. A’ja Wilson’s fabulous double-double ensured basketball’s ultimate prize is unanimously retained by the USA.

The men’s NBA-studded team beat France to claim a fifth straight gold medal. The women’s team faced the same opponents and was on the verge of a historic defeat. But they held their composure, securing an eighth straight gold medal. Yet even as they claimed victory, they found something inspiring them. “Every four years teams come from around the world to compete for second place,” Nike’s latest ad campaign revealed. And King James posed a strange question on his X.

“It is very inspiring RIGHT!?!?!” he said of the women’s basketball team.

It wasn’t a convincing win, but A’ja Wilson and Co. fulfilled their expectations nonetheless. The 67-66 gold medal victory was their 61st consecutive victory in the Olympics. As for the men’s unit, LeBron James had something to speak on their behalf too. Describing the world as underdogs trying to challenge the odds, he wrote, “And just maybe, just maybe WE ARE THE ODDS!”.

Clearly, James is enjoying the taste of his third Olympic gold medal. The frame of him and Stephen Curry hitting the ‘night night’ together is taking over social media. In his last ever Olympics, the Akron Hammer helped restore glory after the USA’s FIBA World Cup upset. And he did it as the tournament’s best player.

LeBron James finished as the MVP

It wasn’t just Team USA that prolonged their command over the basketball landscape. On his return to the Olympics, LeBron James too flourished his invulnerable status as one of the game’s all-time greats. Apart from winning gold medal honors, James was also awarded the tournament’s MVP.

In six games, the 39-year-old averaged 14.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting a lofty 66% from the field. His consistent pouring of offense while being the facilitator enabled Steve Kerr to manage his rotations effectively as he had reassurance with James on his side.

“What a blessing to coach him finally after all these years of coaching against him and trying to figure out how to beat him. To watch him up close, I’ve said this these past few weeks. Just to see his approach, to see his professionalism, how coachable he is. Then, of course, how gifted he is at everything. At every part of the game he seems to have mastered. I’m thrilled to have been able to coach him these last six weeks. I’m a LeBron fan for life,” said the Team USA head coach after securing the gold.

While James will most likely sit out the 2028 LA Olympics, he has set the benchmark high for those to follow. And he has also a damning statement to the rest of the world in doing so.