Why Kerr is aware of each approach Steph ‘suits completely’ into Group USA initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
Steve Kerr nonetheless remembers sitting in his new Oakland workplace a number of months after being named the Warriors’ head coach in 2014, watching his backcourt of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson take residence gold for Group USA on the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.
Curry performed a team-high 23 minutes for the USA, and he and Thompson mixed to attain 22 factors within the gold medal recreation. Thompson once more gained gold for Group USA within the Rio 2016 Summer time Olympics, however Curry hasn’t sported the crimson, white and blue for a decade.
That can change this summer time when Curry fits up for Group USA, enjoying for Kerr in Paris on the 2024 Olympics.
“Who might have predicted that it might be one other 10 years earlier than he performed for Group USA,” Kerr stated Thursday morning over Zoom.
A 24-year-old Curry wasn’t chosen for Group USA in 2012 and wasn’t wholesome sufficient to undergo the pains the Olympics demand in 2016 after enjoying a mixed 97 video games between the common season and playoffs. He merely opted out of enjoying the 2020 video games which had been pushed again a yr to the summer time of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking his age into consideration, that left one final alternative.
Curry has zeroed in on this summer time for fairly a while now. The Warriors celebrity turned 36 years previous in March and is aware of this possible will probably be his final likelihood at representing his nation on the Olympics.
When Curry final performed for Group USA in 2014, his legendary shot didn’t all the time fall by means of the ring like traditional. Even within the gold medal recreation, he scored solely 10 factors on 2-of-7 capturing – all being 3-pointers. He shot 40.8 p.c general, which was the second-worst on Group USA regardless of averaging the fifth-most minutes (20.6) per recreation. Curry is also a 42.6 p.c 3-point shooter for his profession within the NBA.
That very same success, nevertheless, did observe him to Spain 10 years in the past, capturing 43.8 p.c behind a shorter 3-point line.
“I understand how excited he’s to play in his first Olympics,” Kerr stated. “Let’s face it, he is an awesome slot in any league on the planet. The most effective shooter. He is such a simple participant for others to play with, so he suits completely into this sort of problem the place you are attempting to develop continuity rapidly.
“He is excited. It is his first Olympics, an opportunity to play with so many nice gamers. And I am excited to proceed to teach him after 10 years.”
Kerr having Curry by his facet ought to be a serious benefit for the coach’s final go at main Group USA. This summer time’s model of Group USA already is being in comparison with the Dream Group of 1992, with some saying the 2024 squad is even higher.
There nonetheless are challenges and hurdles to clear.
Coaches will arrive in Las Vegas for Group USA coaching camp on July 3, and gamers will be a part of them two days later. Coaching camp practices start July 6 for 4 days, setting the stage for Group USA’s exhibition recreation towards Group Canada on July 10. That rapidly, a bunch of the 12 greatest American gamers within the nation will collect to seek out the fitting components for staff chemistry.
Which is what makes Curry so worthwhile, other than his generational expertise. He isn’t going to be the loudest within the room. Gamers nonetheless all the time will hearken to him and respect his presence above almost anyone else. Anytime Curry decides to speak, all the room listens.
“I do know he’ll make my job simpler as a result of he’ll discuss to the opposite guys about a few of my tendencies and what I am in search of, so it is very useful to have him on this roster,” Kerr stated.
The connection Curry and Kerr have created for the final decade has led to 4 Warriors championship rings and 6 journeys to the NBA Finals. Subsequent up, a shot at Olympic gold with Kerr roaming the sidelines and Curry cashing 3s towards the most effective basketball gamers the remainder of the world has to supply.
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