"Haven't played our best offensive game yet" - Steph Curry gets candid about Team USA's performance in showcase games
Steph Curry opened up about Team USA's performance in their basketball showcase in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. They went 5-0 although their past two games were tough wins over South Sudan and Germany, with LeBron James needing to take over.
In a postgame interview, a reporter asked Curry about what he'd learned about Team USA days before the start of the tournament. The first-time Olympian admitted that they have not played their best on offense, especially in the past two games, but they just need to execute their plan if they want to take home the gold medal (via nba.com):
"I've learned we're beatable if we don't execute the details of what teams know they have to do to beat us, the extra possessions, not taking care of the ball, fouling too much," Curry said. "It has nothing to do with our offensive game. Obviously, 'Bron has been taking over the fourth quarter and giving us a huge bump."
The four-time NBA champion added:
"We haven't played our best offensive game yet. When we lock in defensively and rebound, nobody can really beat us. That's how we've been coming back these last two games. Execute the details, just playing solid, hard-nosed basketball. We'll be fine."
Steph Curry is averaging 12.4 points in five USA basketball showcase games. Curry did not shoot the ball well in four of the five games, with his lone great game being in a win over Serbia. It was a blowout win although the Golden State Warriors superstar set the tone with his shooting.
On the other hand, LeBron James had to save Team USA against South Sudan and Germany. James scored the game-winning layup versus South Sudan before scoring the final 11 points in the victory over Germany.
Steph Curry to make his Olympic debut
At the age of 36, Steph Curry is making his Olympic debut for Team USA in Paris. Curry has won it all in the NBA plus a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup. However, the only thing missing in his legendary resume is an Olympic gold medal.
The stars have not aligned for Curry in the past few Olympic years, but Team USA's fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup meant that the rest of the world has gotten stronger. It also meant that the Americans needed to bring the best of the best in Paris.
Curry admitted to the Associated Press back in April that he wanted to experience playing for Team USA in the Olympics. It wasn't an easy decision but he doesn't have the luxury of time to wait for another opportunity to suit up for the United States:
"I definitely wanted this experience. I think the timing is just right. I'm later in my career. This is probably the last opportunity I have to play. And that made it a much easier decision to say, 'This makes sense,'" Curry said.