Stephen Curry Team USA 2014 Update: Adjusting To Roster Changes (Photo: LetsGoWarriors on Instagram)
QUEST MULTIPLEX, CHICAGO, IL — With a number of NBA stars backing out of playing for USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team (#USABMNT) for various reasons, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry spoke about how the team can adjust to the roster changes like the loss of Kevin Durant this late in the game.
“You know we’ve got time to get it done. I think we needed (Durant) obviously, he’s shown how great of an international player he is,” Curry told reporters last week at practice in Chicago, “He creates match-up problems all over, so other guys are going to have to step up, we might have to play a little differently.”
Durant was the latest to leave and Curry talked about what life after Durant is going to be like.
“We have versatile guys that have played a lot of different positions, so Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) still has a lot of buttons to push,” Curry said, “I think he did have an expectation of playing a certain way with a guy like Kevin available.”
The loss of Durant hasn’t affected the team’s confidence as they prepare for their game against Brazil at the United Center.
“We still have what it takes to win a gold medal, and that’s why we’re all here. If we didn’t feel that way, we’d have sat out, too,” Curry said.
Having Warriors teammate Klay Thompson, who according to Curry has impressed the coaching staff, there with him makes the experience that much more enjoyable.
“Klay’s Klay. He gets it done,” Steph said, “Defensively he puts in the work, great shooter obviously. And he is continuing to show why he is one of the best shooting guards in this league, and he is definitely standing out this week.”
Curry also explained what it’s like to work with so many great players at once.
“I’m learning from everybody. We’re all picking up stuff from each other,” Curry said, “We all have different skill sets, different physical gifts, so we’re limited to a certain extent that way. But you definitely swallow a lot of information as you’re here.”
While the experience is definitely a great chance to improve his game, Curry said his favorite thing about being a part of Team USA was coming together as a team.
“The bonding with guys that understand how great of an experience and opportunity this is, being able to travel different parts of the world representing for your country,” Curry said, “Doesn’t get much better than that.”
[NOTE: Caleb Nordgren contributed to this report.]
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