Since Steph Curry told Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s Andscape that he, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant had recreated the famous photograph of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird from the 1992 Olympics, fans have been eagerly anticipating its release.
USA Basketball finally shared the photo on Sunday, just before the team’s opening game of the 2024 Paris Olympics against Serbia. The photo was captioned: “A Generational Trio.”
The new photo differs slightly from the original. In the classic image, Jordan was seated, with Bird standing to his right and Magic to his left. In the 2024 version, all three players are standing: James is in the center, Curry is to his right, and Durant is to his left. While it hasn’t been confirmed that this is the exact photo Steph Curry mentioned, it is highly likely. If something even more iconic emerges, basketball fans worldwide will undoubtedly have a lot to react to.
As comparisons continue, Team USA will begin their 2024 Paris Olympics campaign on Sunday.
Despite Magic and Bird nearing the end of their careers, players like Charles Barkley stepped up, and Team USA dominated the competition. The star-studded 2024 team, featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry, has drawn comparisons to the Dream Team. Some have even suggested this team could surpass the 1992 squad, though this claim has faced significant criticism, especially after Team USA’s struggles against South Sudan and Germany in the lead-up to the Olympics.
While the criticism is valid, it’s important to recognize that basketball is far more global today than it was in 1992, with nearly every team featuring NBA players. The fact that James Harden was the last U.S.-born player to win the NBA MVP award in 2018 highlights the global nature of the sport. As debates about which team is superior continue, LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant will be focused on winning gold in Paris.
