In the NBA circuit, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant started as rivals, then became teammates in Golden State and won two titles, then became rivals again. Now they're back to being teammates.
This time, for Team USA.
“We have history as teammates and won at a high level,” said Curry on Durant as the two spent some time with reporters in a press conference just a day before the Opening Ceremony of Paris 2024.
Steph & KD on the mic for the #Paris2024 media 🎙?
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 25, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/IhTUfn2ZiC
The two are NBA contemporaries, future Hall of Famers, and former teammates who are in a completely different Olympic space.
Curry is set for his Olympic debut; soaking every moment he’s in from practice to tune-up matches to the non-stop travel before landing to France.
Durant, meanwhile, is participating in his fourth and likely final Olympic Games; now a savvy vet on the international play that made him one of the most experienced Olympians on the stacked Team USA roster.
“I’ve been imagining what that feels like, forever really. It’s my first time, and I’ve seen these guys... I mean, it’s KD’s fourth time doing it. So you imagine the excitement of representing your country, being a part of the Opening Ceremony festivities,” Curry bared.
“I know it’s very unique here, being on the river and being a part of the scene in Paris.”
The two played 168 regular season games together and 170 combined in the postseason and being one of the big-time playoff performers the league has ever seen.
Curry and Durant hope the chemistry established by being teammates and also rivals over the past 15-plus years will ensure cohesion on the floor for Team USA at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“There’s the respect of what everybody has done in their career. When you compete against people, when you play with them, you see them in different aspects throughout your NBA journey,” Curry, a four-time NBA champion, spoke on Durant.
"You learn a lot about people and that familiarity only helps us in this situation because you know everybody’s going to approach it the right way, prepare themselves mentally, physically, to be able to hoop and come with the right energy of just trying to win,” he added.
But a day before the Americans open pool play against Serbia, there’s still no clarity on Durant and his calf strain and when he’ll finally put on a jersey. Durant didn’t play in any of the five exhibition games.
[ALSO READ: LeBron James rescues Team USA anew in close win over world champions Germany in final Paris 2024 tune-up]
“I hate not playing but just watching these guys and seeing how they operate... it’s just been incredible,” the two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP admitted.
But the Phoenix Suns star is taking it one day at a time and taking it from there.
“Each day is getting better,” Durant said. “Another intense practice and we’ll see how it feels.”
Extra shots up for Book, KD & LeBron!
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 25, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/LkfmyZr9LE
With hopes of winning a fifth-straight gold medal, Curry, Durant and Co. face a loaded competition, with an array of international stars namely Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama set to contend with the stacked American roster.
Asked which country he’s most looking forward to playing, Curry had the perfect response: “Whoever’s in the gold medal game.”
“Great answer,” Durant responded to Curry’s.
Great answer @StephenCurry30 🤝
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 25, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/Ci2CGYaU9t
The mindset is right for a team that once again projects as the heavy favorites to win it all anew.
Now. it's time to put the work in. Team USA will start on July 28, 11:15 p.m. Philippine time against Serbia in Group C.
