Curry’s Olympics, NBA LeBron-Bronny, and Caitlin Clark fever: 2024 review | Basketball News

Basketball in 2024 has enjoyed a breakout year with more sustained global coverage than ever before.

It will be remembered for its new record-breaking accomplishments, memorable plays, women’s basketball’s coming-out party, and huge global events like the Olympics that put the sport in a greater spotlight than ever before.

Here are the most prominent basketball moments on Al Jazeera for the year 2024:

1. LeBron and Bronny James – The first father-son duo in the NBA

On opening night of the 2024-25 NBA season, LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father and son to play together in the NBA during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 39-year-old star and his 20-year-old son, who was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, played nearly 2 1/2 minutes together late in the first half of Bronny’s debut.

The moment they stepped onto an NBA court together on Oct. 22, 2024, they made history twice: the first father and son to play in the league at the same time; And the first father and son to play together on the same team.

For LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, the Bronny “moment” may be one of the most lasting memories of his career as fans around the world were able to bear witness to a proud father sharing the professional sports spotlight with LeBron. daughter.

2. Caitlin Clark obsession

Clark’s incredible whirlwind from the American College NCAA Tournament to the professional world of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been one of the most talked-about sports stories of 2024.

On March 3, Clarke’s social and traditional media profile exploded after she beat 54-year-old Pete Maravich’s all-time record of 3,667 points in college basketball — a record many fans believe will never be broken. never.

On April 15, she was selected first in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever amid overwhelming expectations that she would have a transformative impact on women’s professional basketball. Clark, 22, did not disappoint. Its live games obliterated WNBA television viewing records as the 1.83-meter (six-foot) point guard went on to set a single-game assist record and win Rookie of the Year honors.

In the final analysis, Clark has risen to the top ranks of basketball greatness in the American market, moving quickly from the world of sports into the cultural mainstream of public life – no small accomplishment.

3. Stephen Curry lights up the Paris Olympics

It was the American “dream” team that attended the Summer Games in the French capital, Paris, but unusually, one of the stars waited until he was 36 to make his Olympic debut, and he happened to be the greatest three-point shooter to ever play in the league. NBA: Stephen Curry.

Curry’s opening four games in the Olympic tournament were absolutely unforgettable, as the 1.9-meter (six-foot-three-inch) guard shined on the court, averaging just 7.3 points per game on a dismal 35.7 percent shooting, including An embarrassing 26.3 percent from three-point range.

But great shooters keep shooting — and Curry did a great scoring check in the all-important semifinals and finals.

First, he saved the USA from defeat to Serbia in the semifinals, hitting nine three-pointers and scoring 36 points; The second-highest performance by an American in Olympic history.

Then, with 2.42 points remaining in the final against host France, and with the USA clinging to a three-point lead at 82-79, the Golden State Warriors player went wild, hitting four of four 3-pointers in a stunning game. -One minute and seven seconds.

When he nailed his fourth 3-pointer with 35 seconds left – a ridiculous shot over the outstretched arms of two taller French defenders attacking him – the Olympic gold medal was assured for the Americans. Curry finished 8-for-13 from three-point range in Team USA’s exhilarating 98-87 win over Team France.

Curry’s remarkable gold medal performance at Bercy Arena was immortalized by one of his three-pointers filmed over the outstretched arm of the tallest man at the Olympics, France’s 2.26-meter (seven feet, four inches) center, Victor Wembanyama.

Curry averaged 30 points for Team USA in the tournament’s semifinal and gold medal games.

This is the highest rate for any athlete in the history of the Olympic Games.

4. Antman soars to new heights in the NBA playoffs

Minnesota guard Anthony “Antman” Edwards wowed NBA fans with his “Dunk of the Year” title in the regular season against Utah in March 19but he may have even surpassed those epic qualifying slams by a margin Unusual flow vs. Dallas in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on May 26.

Unfortunately for opposing quarterback Daniel Gafford, he will forever be labeled as the opposing player that Antman happened to be The corridor above In this exceptional sports show.

Minnesota eventually lost the playoff series to Dallas 4-1 — but not before Antman’s star exploded, with many basketball commentators comparing his aerial exploits to the man many people consider to be the greatest NBA player of all time, Michael Air Jordan.

5. Boston wins its first NBA title since 2008

Sixteen years is a long time between championship drinks until the winner of the NBA gets to claim another title.

The Celtics dominated the regular season, posting a league-best 64 wins and 18 losses.

They then swept the playoffs with an impressive 16-3 record, beating Miami (4-1) in the first round, Cleveland (4-1) in the second round, and Indiana (4-0) in the Eastern Conference Finals before ending their run in the playoffs. He achieved the title with an impressive victory over the Dallas Mavericks (4-1) in the NBA Finals.

Boston’s Jaylen Brown was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) — but this Celtics’ championship run was marked by a true team effort featuring the league’s five best players: Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. .

With all of its key players back for the current season, Boston remains the favorite to repeat as champion in June 2025 — and few would bet against them failing to collect a record 19th NBA title.