Stephen Curry Team USA Video: On a Mission to Win Gold
Stephen Curry is on a mission. After winning gold with Team USA in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, the Golden State Warriors point guard is even more motivated now to win another gold medal.
Ever since the USA Basketball Men’s National Team started training camp a couple weeks ago, Curry was considered a lock to make the final roster that will compete in the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball.
He is now even more of a lock to make the roster after an impressive training camp. Fellow Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, has become more of a lock to make the final roster too.
After witnessing Paul George‘s gruesome injury in the USA Basketball Showcase at the conclusion of Team USA’s training camp, Curry admitted that he thought about withdrawing, according to Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group. However, his desire to represent his country ultimately led him to stay with the team.
"“I had some doubts when I left Vegas as to the risk that you take when you play USA Basketball, but at the end of the day, we made a commitment to play, and any time we play basketball, that’s a risk we take,” Curry said.“We’re committed. For now we’re going go out there and win the gold for Paul and do our thing over in Spain, but I haven’t really thought about two years from now because I guess everybody has to make a decision based on where they are when that time comes.”"
With several NBA stars not participating in or withdrawing from Team USA, Curry has become one of the most important members of the team. He’s on a mission to lead Team USA to winning another gold medal. He wants to win for his country, but he also wants to win for George.
When Curry participated in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, he was more of a role player than he would be for this summer’s team. In 10 games during the 2010 FIBA World Championship, he averaged 4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, and he shot 36.8 percent from three-point range.
This summer, Curry could see time at both the point guard and the shooting guard positions. Curry has said that he doesn’t mind playing both positions or being utilized as mostly a shooter, according to John Schuhmann of NBA.com.
"“I play both,” he said. “I’m obviously better equipped [than the others] to play the two, but I can push in transition and initiate the offense if I need to. I got to be able to do both and guard both positions as well.”"
Curry is an extremely confident player, and as he’s gained more experience in the NBA, he’s become more of a leader on his Warriors’ team. Curry has entered the conversation as a possible superstar in the NBA, and if he can lead Team USA to a gold medal in the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball (especially without the presence of other NBA superstars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, George, etc.), he could start to solidify himself as a legitimate superstar in the NBA.
Watch the video below, as Curry discusses his busy offseason so far, his role on Team USA this summer, his thoughts on Coach K, and his desire to win a gold medal for George: