As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, the U.S. basketball team has assembled a formidable lineup befitting its reputation as the “world’s strongest,” led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
Curry, widely recognized as the most excellent three-point shooter in history, has an impressive career three-point shooting percentage of 42.6%. Over 956 regular-season games, Curry has attempted an average of 9.2 three-point shots per game, successfully making 3.9 of them. This remarkable record poses a significant challenge for opponent teams, who must prepare for Curry’s three-point shooting in every game.
Standing over 6 feet 10 inches tall with shoes on, Durant is often considered even more challenging to defend than Curry. Durant has a career field goal percentage of 50.1% and a three-point shooting percentage of 38.7%, with an average of 27.3 points per game. His shooting skills are among the best in the NBA, and he is already a veteran with three Olympic gold medals.
The two players were teammates on the Golden State Warriors, winning two championships between 2016 and 2018 and establishing themselves as the dominant team of their era. In this Olympics, they will reunite on the U.S. national basketball team, aiming to secure another gold medal.
During a press conference in Paris, Curry expressed confidence, stating, “We have history as teammates and won at a high level.” He emphasized his chemistry with Durant, claiming, “I know how hard he [Durant] works because I’ve seen it up close and personal for those three years, and I know the level that he’s trying to get to competitively to be his best self and why he’s the all-time leading scorer in Olympic history.”
Despite a calf injury, Durant reported that he is “getting better every day” and looks forward to the synergy with his teammates.
Although the U.S. underperformed at last year’s FIBA World Cup, this Olympic team features a star-studded lineup with the NBA’s top players, including Curry, Durant, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Jayson Tatum.
The U.S. will face Serbia in its first game, aiming to reaffirm its status as the world’s best basketball team through this tournament. Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, is expected to provide fierce competition.
Most Commented