Death Dunk and 2001 (4K)

Dream Team IV easily defeated a host of opponents and reached the Olympic Games final against France!

The final showdown!

By this point in the Olympic Games, the Dream Team had already displayed its dominance, and Kobe had attracted a massive following.

Without question, Kobe had come to FIBA and remained the strongest player around!

The GOAT of the NBA was the GOAT of the world!

The NBA did not have a particularly large global audience, but the Olympic Games were entirely different!

Every country paid attention to the Olympic Games!

With that level of exposure, Kobe's godlike performances instantly won over countless casual fans who had only heard his name but had never watched him play!

After nearly every game, a whole crowd of players from the opposing team would rush over to ask Kobe for autographs!

Kobe never acted high and mighty. He simply smiled and gladly agreed!

That kind of grace elevated Kobe's reputation among the players to another level!

Was France strong?

Of course!

The fact that they had reached the Olympic Games final was proof enough of their ability.

Especially their center, Frédéric Weis—a 29-year-old, 2.18-meter, 118-kilogram powerhouse. Under FIBA rules, which did not require big men to move around as much, he was practically a mountain standing in the paint!

Combined with their excellent tactical discipline, teamwork, and aggressive, hard-fighting style, France was the strongest team in these Olympic Games aside from the United States!

This final had undoubtedly become the marquee matchup of the entire Olympic Games!

"Guys, win this game, and we can take the trophy home!" Rudy Tomjanovich delivered his final pregame emphasis.

He was beginning to envy Harris.

All he had to do was leave every decision on the court to Kobe, manage the player rotations, and assign defensive matchups.