Why winning Olympic gold medal would mean ‘everything’ to Steph

Why winning Olympic gold medal would mean ‘everything’ to Steph originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LAS VEGAS – Steph Curry is a perfect 17-0 in a Team USA Men’s Basketball jersey. None of those wins have come on the Olympic stage.

All were during the FIBA World Cup, with his most recent win wearing red, white and blue being a decade ago. The 36-year-old soon will have a chance to add yet another accolade to his name at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and winning gold is more than another box to check for Curry.

“It’s why I’m here,” Curry said Sunday after Team USA’s second day of training camp at UNLV. “It would mean everything. You get to play with this type of talent, the best in our league against the best in the world, continue to show our dominance in Team USA and just the overall experience is something I’ve never had before, so I’m just very excited about just soaking it all in.”

A couple changes Curry will have to adjust to is the handful of differences between FIBA rules and the NBA. The NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made could have a field day from deep if he can calibrate his shot without any issues. Nobody expects that to be a problem.

While the NBA’s 3-point line is 23.9 feet from the basket, the Olympic 3-point line will be 22.1 feet away from the hoop.

Even the ball is softer.

His Warriors and Team USA coach Steve Kerr hasn’t put any thought into Curry having to modify his game for the Olympics. Curry on a team full of future Hall of Famers is the group’s unanimous best shooter, without hesitation. The always confident Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards couldn’t believe the question was asked in the first place.

“You know who got the best shot,” Edwards said. “Steph Curry.”

The frustrations of the Warriors missing out on the NBA playoffs this past season haven’t subsided for Curry. But the extra time this offseason has allowed him more time in the gym using a FIBA ball and counting his makes from a closer distance.

“I’ve had plenty of time since the season to get some reps in with it,” Curry said. “It is an adjustment, but like…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-winning-olympic-gold-medal-024906478.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-07-08 02:49:06

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.