In the bustling Luxembourg Gardens of Paris, Chronicle reporter Ron Kroichick stumbled upon a lively pickup basketball game just three days after Stephen Curry led the U.S. basketball team to Olympic gold against host country, France. Amidst the friendly competition, players Kendal, Hichem, and Salif discussed Curry's impact on the game both internationally and locally.

Kendal, a 25-year-old Parisian basketball enthusiast, expressed his admiration for Curry, citing him as his favorite player. However, he jokingly added, "But he disgusts me," much to the amusement of his friends. Kendal had hoped to attend the USA-France game but settled for watching it on television due to expensive ticket prices.

The chance encounter in Luxembourg Gardens brought to light the widespread influence of Curry's unique style of play. Notably, players in the pickup game fearlessly emulated Curry's outside shooting, with most of their shots long-range attempts. Despite the absence of a three-point line on the playground, players like Kendal stressed that no distance was too great. They affectionately referred to themselves as "little Steph Currys with no shot."

Salif, a standout 29-year-old player in the pickup game, held a slightly different perspective. While acknowledging Curry's impact, Salif confessed, "I hate him, to be honest." He bemoaned the three-point revolution that Curry spearheaded, expressing concern about its dominance in both high-level and playground basketball. "They all want to play outside the line," he added disapprovingly.

The conversation expanded beyond Curry, delving into the state of international basketball and the recent Olympic performances. French fans like Kendal believed that European basketball has made significant strides, narrowing the gap between Europe and the United States. The silver medal finishes for France in the past two Olympics, including a close loss to the U.S. in Tokyo, showcased their progress.

Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Hichem expressed optimism about France's chances for gold. With Curry and LeBron James possibly not participating, and Kevin Durant's potential absence, the French team believes they have a shot. The presence of promising young talents like Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr, along with rising star Victor Wembanyama, fuels their aspirations for Olympic glory.

As discussions unfolded among the pickup players, Salif interjected, interrupting the optimistic plans. His remark tempered the growing excitement, reminding everyone that U.S. dominance in basketball cannot be underestimated.

Steph Curry's influence, extending from the playgrounds of Paris to the grand stage of the Olympics, continues to shape the way the game is played and perceived worldwide. The accidental discovery of this pickup game in Luxembourg Gardens serves as a testament to Curry's impact and the enduring allure of basketball in the hearts of fans, both young and old.