In his first Olympics appearance, Steph Curry, known as the greatest shooter in NBA history, found himself in a different role with Team USA. Despite his legendary shooting skills, Curry has yet to fully hit his stride in the tournament, but he’s maintaining a positive and selfless attitude, focused on contributing in any way he can to help the team chase gold.
A New Role for the 3-Point King
Curry’s impact in Team USA’s 122-87 victory over Brazil was more subtle than his usual explosive performances. He took just three shots, finishing with seven points and one rebound in nearly 17 minutes of play. Rather than expressing frustration, Curry embraced his role, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for his teammates.
“A lot of my job on this team is to create attention and open up shots for other guys,” Curry said postgame. “I’m not getting a lot of them. So as long as I keep cutting hard, and playing off the ball, we have so many great passers, great finishers, great shooters, somebody is going to get a good look.”
Adapting to Team USA’s Depth
Curry’s scoring in the Olympics has been sporadic, with 11 points in his debut, followed by three against South Sudan and eight against Puerto Rico. His shooting struggles were evident in the South Sudan game, where he made just one field goal out of nine attempts, missing all six of his 3-point shots.
Against Puerto Rico, Curry showed promise early, scoring five points in the first quarter before cooling off. His contributions on the floor have been more about his presence and movement, drawing defenders and creating space for his teammates rather than dominating the scoreboard.
In the Brazil game, Curry didn’t miss a shot—not because he was cold, but because he barely had the chance to take any. His points came from a pair of layups assisted by LeBron James and three free throws after being fouled on a contested 3-pointer.
The Bigger Picture
Team USA coach Steve Kerr, who also coaches Steph Curry with the Golden State Warriors, highlighted the depth of the team as its greatest strength. “That’s the beauty and the strength of our team is that it can be any one of these guys,” Kerr said. “They all have to carry their franchises individually when they go back to the NBA. So we know they’re capable of carrying our team on any given day, but we don’t know who it’s going to be, and that’s the strength of the team.”
While Curry’s scoring has been limited, his ability to stretch the floor and draw defenders remains invaluable to Team USA’s success. His willingness to adapt and play a supporting role, despite being one of the most celebrated players in the game, speaks volumes about his commitment to the team’s ultimate goal.
Looking Ahead
As Team USA moves deeper into the Olympics, Curry’s role may continue to evolve, but his focus remains on helping the team succeed, even if it means taking a step back from his usual scoring dominance. His selfless attitude and adaptability are key assets for a team loaded with talent and ambition, as they aim to bring home another gold medal.
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