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.