Steph Curry issues cocky response on USA's most anticipated opponent at 2024 Paris Olympics
Steph Curry seems uber-confident about Team USA's prospects at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The starting point guard views the team playing the Gold Medal game two days before the tournament tips off. Ahead of the start of his debut Olympic run, Curry's cocky response to the Americans' most anticipated moment described his mentality heading into the opening contest.
"Whoever’s in the gold medal game," Curry said on Thursday after a reporter asked who he's looking forward the most to play against (via AP's Tim Reynolds).
Meanwhile, his former Warriors co-star, Kevin Durant, seemingly agreed with Curry's bold response, calling it a 'great answer.' The USA has assembled a star-studded team after last year's FIBA World Cup's disappointing fourth-place finish, with a young roster led by Anthony Edwards.
This year's team includes Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James leading the charge, surrounded by All-Stars like Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis, among others. Rising stars Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton are the only two players on the team who played in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The Americans are the undisputed favorites to win their fifth consecutive gold. It would be Steph Curry's first taste at Olympic success. He played for the USA before at the FIBA World Cups in 2010 and 2014, leading the country to gold medal wins on both occasions.
Steph Curry and Team USA go 5-0 in exhibition games
Steph Curry and Team USA went unbeaten in their exhibition games leading up to the main event. Curry started all five games at the point guard position. He displayed excellent chemistry next to co-star LeBron James, who played more as a facilitator. Curry, meanwhile, ran circles around the defense, impacting the game with his impeccable movement and shooting.
However, some other pieces, including Joel Embiid, have struggled to fit well in the team's schemes. The Americans barely escaped past minnows South Sudan before recording a comeback win against reigning world champions Germany in their final two games.
Both required special efforts from LeBron James down the stretch. Most of it was the team's lack of chemistry and schemes that saw the USA struggle against experienced FIBA teams with more continuity.
After a close four-point win over Germany, Steve Kerr pointed out weaknesses like the lack of pace and inconsistency on defense. The USA is also struggling to keep the ball under control, committing turnovers at a high rate.
These issues are relatively controllable for now. However, things could change quickly in a one-game knockout contest, so Steph Curry and Co. need to be wary of their shortcomings.