Shooters shoot, hoopers hoop, but not all ballers can spin a basketball.
Even the best players in the world–LeBron James and Stephen Curry among others–had trouble performing the task, as members of the Paris-bound Team USA squad took the challenge with some surprising outcomes.
A skill not all possess… Who on the #USABMNT can spin a ball on their finger? 🤔👀🏀 pic.twitter.com/mRwKDfJOKO
— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2024
“I can do a lot of things in basketball, that is the one thing I cannot do,” Curry admitted.
“That’s one of the most embarrassing things of just me,” Curry added, before losing his handle on the basketball he was dribbling.
“Somebody needs to teach me,” the two-time league MVP added.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, also revealed that spinning the basketball on his finger ain’t “really [his] thing.”
The King made two attempts, without much success.
Not being able to spin a basketball on their finger certainly hasn't stopped the two icons from dominating on the court, though, which is what really matters.
Curry averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game for the Golden State Warriors last season, who missed the playoffs after bowing out in the Play-In Tournament against the Sacramento Kings.
[ALSO READ: Kings eliminate Warriors as payback, to face Pelicans for final West playoff spot]
James, meanwhile, put up 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in his 21st season, leading the LA Lakers to the playoffs as the no. 7 seed before getting eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the opening round in five games.
[ALSO READ: Jamal Murray sends Nuggets to next round after another game-winner against Lakers]
Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton also gave it a go, but could only keep the ball on his finger for just under a “two one-thousand” count. 2023 league MVP and Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid was so sure he couldn’t do it that he didn’t even attempt a spin.
While it may come as a bit of a surprise that some players can't spin a ball, some players in Team USA excelled at it.
Boston Celtics champion guard Jrue Holiday is easily the best at it as he seemed to be able to spin the ball on his finger quite effortlessly.
Lakers big man Anthony Davis, Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo also did decently with the famous basketball trick.
Team USA, who will be gunning for fifth straight gold in the Olympic Games Paris 2024, will be in Group C, along with Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan.
[ALSO READ: Avengers Assemble: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant lead Team USA’s arrival in Las Vegas for Paris 2024 prep]
