Stephen Curry and the temptation of the Paris Olympics

With this 4th NBA championship title and this Finals MVP award, Stephen Curry has locked up his NBA record, and no one will question his place among the best players in history. On the international level, Stephen Curry already has two world championship titles, acquired in 2010 and 2014, and he only lacks one medal, the most beautiful and prestigious: Olympic gold.

Pre-selected at each Olympiad, he had declined the invitation. Like last year when he preferred to take a break after two seasons marked by Covid: “It’s always a little tempting to play in the Olympics, but it was not the right time for me.

But this time, and while he will be 36 years old in 2024, he thinks strongly about it, and others are there to remind him. On the evening of the victory against the Celtics, Steve Kerr had gently put pressure on him.

“ He is still missing an Olympic gold medal. And I think he should really focus on making the Olympic team in 2024. That’s the last thing he needs in his career. I’ m sorry, but I couldn’t help myself,” said the new Team USA coach.

“I’m not done because I have to play for Coach Kerr in 2024 in Paris.

Then it was the turn of Grant Hill, new manager of the U.S. team. ” He reminded me that I don’t have an Olympic gold medal,” Stephen Curry told ESPN. ” Since he is now the head of Team USA, he has started his recruitment for 2024. He’s making sure I’m humbled. He and Coach Kerr. ”

Finally, at the Warriors’ parade, the point guard brought up the subject again. ” I’m not done because I have to play for Coach Kerr in 2024 in Paris. It’s not an ‘I’m going to do it’. It’s him saying it. ”

We’re not talking about the 2023 World Cup where the U.S. will likely send an A’ team. For 2024, if Stephen Curry is there, other superstars will probably want to go with him. We think of the new generation like Ja Morant, Zion Williamson or Trae Young. There will be more than enough to build a quality team to offer him this Olympic gold, under the orders of Steve Kerr, who took over from Gregg Popovich on the bench.