Steph Curry has highlighted a significant risk that could hinder Team USA during the Olympics: straying from their unique style of play.
Curry’s remarks came after a tense one-point victory against South Sudan on Saturday evening, where the U.S. team narrowly triumphed.
“If we deviate from our individual basketball identity, we could find ourselves facing defeat,” Curry stressed after LeBron James executed a critical layup that barely secured Team USA’s 101-100 win.
“Our gameplay is defined by our robust defense. In the first half, we didn’t manage to disrupt their flow, which allowed them to take advantage of our vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, we realized that we can dominate teams for a full 40 minutes, no matter who’s on the court. It’s an important lesson for us,” he continued.
A potential defeat would have been especially surprising considering that South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, is making its Olympic basketball debut.
Team USA’s head coach, Steve Kerr, took full responsibility for the narrow escape.
“I did not prepare the team sufficiently; our oversight of their strengths falls on me,” Kerr confessed.
“They executed exceptionally, and this experience serves us well by providing a preview of what we can expect in Paris and Lille. It’s a stark reminder that for opposing teams, playing against us is the highlight of their careers, and we need to be ready for their best efforts,” he remarked.
The U.S. and South Sudan are set to meet again in the Olympic group stage on July 31 at 3pm ET.
Image Source: Steph Curry @ Instagram
