There have been some memorable performances throughout this Olympic men's basketball tournament to get France and the USA into the final. Hometown heroes have been created for the Parisians, while the usual suspects have come through in a big way for the Americans.
With one game remaining, who stands the best chance at winning MVP along with the gold medal? A lot could change after that final game is completed, but one name stands out from among the pack as the most obvious pick right now.
Here are the most likely candidates for the award.
MORE: How Stephen Curry, LeBron James powered Team USA's stunning comeback
Olympics MVP rankings
1. LeBron James, USA
Stats: 14.2 PTS, 8.2 AST, 7.0 REB, 1.2 STL, 67.4% FG
It is unfathomable that James is still the best player on Team USA at the age of 39, yet it's undeniable. He's leading the team in minutes, points, assists, rebounds and field goal percentage.
Those haven't been empty stats, either. James bailed Team USA out against Serbia, coming through with huge clutch plays to help them narrowly avoid an upset. He's played great two-way basketball, been a freight train in transition and orchestrated the team's tournament-leading offense.
James has simply been too big to handle in the post and on his drives. His passing is always going to be there, and he is the smartest player on the floor at all times. He's earned the well-deserved nickname on the broadcast of Captain LeMerica for his play throughout this tournament.
MORE: How LeBron James earned Captain LeMerica, King James and more nicknames
2. Kevin Durant, USA
Stats: 13.6 PTS, 3.0 REB, 2.0 AST, 1.0 STL, 57.9% FG, 61.1% 3PT
Durant has been the best bench option in the history of the game, entering in the middle of the first quarter for Team USA and shooting fireballs as soon as he comes in.
When America has needed a bucket, it's been Durant who has come through. He hit his first eight straight shots to break the game open for Team USA when it played Serbia in the group stage. He had a dagger jumper in isolation to win the rematch in the semifinals.
Durant has been doing this for over a decade now. He became the country's all-time leading scorer during the quarterfinals, adding to the slew of awards he already has. He will be in there during closing time, and some more big shots could earn him MVP honors.
MORE: Medals, stats, records and more to know about Kevin Durant's Team USA history
3. Stephen Curry, USA
Stats: 13.0 PTS, 3.6 REB, 2.0 AST, 46.8% FG, 41.2% 3PT
Curry was in a brutal shooting slump that had him hitting only 25 percent of his 3s before Team USA's semifinal game. He saved the day there, though, scoring a game-high 36 points and raising his 3-point percentage for the tournament all the way to 41.2 percent thanks to a brilliant 9-of-14 night from deep.
Those bombs were signature Curry looks. He had a logo 3, relocation shots and quick-trigger releases that had him dancing around the floor. He reminded everyone that he's the best shooter on the planet, and he's capable of going off for big numbers.
Curry's perimeter shooting will be even more important against a French team that can wall off the paint.
4. Anthony Davis, USA
Stats: 8.4 PTS, 6.2 REB, 2.2 AST, 1.0 STL, 1.0 BLK, 59.3% FG
Davis has obvious chemistry with James, which has provided some nice highlight plays throughout this tournament. He and Bam Adebayo have been Team USA's best defenders, oftentimes working together to shut the water off for opponents. He's even been chipping in from 3, hitting 50 percent of his looks.
5. Victor Wembanyama, France
Stats: 13.8 PTS, 10.2 REB, 3.6 AST, 2.2 STL, 2.0 BLK, 37.5% FG
Wembanyama hasn't been shooting the ball well during the knockout stages, hitting just 6-of-27 shots entering the final. Prior to that stretch, he was scoring at an efficient clip and playing his usual brand of freakish defense.
If France does end up pulling off the upset, then Wembanyama would make a great story to win the MVP award. He's been France's best defender, given that Rudy Gobert has sat much of the games due to matchup issues. He's also been France's leading scorer and the No. 2 rebounder in the tournament behind Nikola Jokic.
MORE: A look into Victor Wembanyama's Olympic stats
6. Guerschon Yabusele, France
Stats: 12.8 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.2 AST, 55.0% FG
Yabusele didn't have much of an NBA career, but he's turned into a good international player. The big man has outmuscled opponents down low, coming through in clutch moments for France.
France's offense hasn't been very productive, but Yabusele has been one of the few capable scoring threats. His 12.8 points per game ranks second on the team behind Wembanyama, and it's coming on 4.8 fewer field goal attempts. He's a high-energy player who will play a major role in the event of a French victory.
MORE: Why Guerschon Yabusele isn't in the NBA
7. Isaia Cordinier, France
Stats: 10.6 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.4 STL, 1.2 AST, 54.3% FG, 50.0% 3PT
Cordinier wasn't supposed to be a star coming into these Olympics, but he's turned into one. France's guard play was a big question mark given that aging players like Nando De Colo and Evan Fournier were expected to carry a heavy load.
Cordinier got a larger role against Canada due to matchup reasons, and the defensive specialist ended up chipping in a massive 20 points on the shooting game of his life. He followed that up with 16 points against Germany, again hitting huge shots and making tough layups.
Cordinier hasn't been this big of a scorer before in his lengthy European career, but he's picking the perfect time to get hot. It would be a remarkable surprise for him to win MVP, but he's been playing out of his mind.
