Steph Curry will be in the starting lineup for Team USA when it takes on Germany for its final pre-Olympic exhibition game. The two-time NBA MVP has been a staple in coach Steve Kerr’s opening quintet in four tune-up matchups. Curry hopes to bounce back after a so-so performance in the USA’s close 101-100 win over South Sudan.
Following an impressive showing against Serbia in Abu Dhabi, the Golden State Warriors superstar couldn’t put up the same performance versus the East Africans. Curry finished with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. Curry’s South Sudan counterpart, Carlik Jones, tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals.
To win against the 2023 FIBA World Cup champions, “Chef Curry” has to be better for Team USA.
Get your popcorn ready 🍿
🇺🇸 #USABMNT vs 🇩🇪 @DBB_Basketball
8 pm BST/3 pm ET
📍 @TheO2📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/ifakMXSqDe
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 22, 2024
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Steph Curry has not played against Germany
Steph Curry represented the United States on the international stage thrice. He was part of the 2007 FIBA World Cup U-19 American team that lost to Serbia in the championship game. Curry also won two gold medals in the men’s 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cups.
In each of those tournaments, the four-time NBA champ never met Germany. Monday’s game will be the first time he will face Die Mannschaft, the reigning world champions. The Germans ruled last year’s FIBA World Cup behind Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner and Dennis Schroder.
Steph Curry is familiar with the three in the NBA but has not lined up across from them in international competition.
Steph Curry is still learning to play with his superstar teammates
Team USA is unquestionably the most talented and deepest squad that will compete in the Olympics. Steph Curry, LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant are the MVPs on the roster. The rest of the lineup is arguably the best players in the NBA.
The Americans look unbeatable on paper, but the game against South Sudan showed they could be beaten. The lack of chemistry is Team USA’s biggest weakness. Only Curry, James and Embiid are guaranteed starters, a move that has likely forced everyone to make more adjustments. Steve Kerr liked the three players as the team’s foundation but said that Curry is still learning to play with James.
It isn’t just “King James” that Curry is trying to adjust to. The wink-wink chemistry that he enjoys with the Warriors isn’t going to be available with his Team USA teammates. Against South Sudan, that lack of familiarity was badly exposed.
The Americans vowed to be better after their showing against the East Africans. They can’t afford to play that way again when they face Die Mannschaft on Monday.