The U.S. Olympic senior men’s team just lost a huge chunk of its star power.
Steph Curry, the Golden State Warriors 6-4 guard who won back to back MVP Trophies, has opted to take a pass on Rio because of a sore knee that has been bothering him throughout the playoffs.
Curry played for the U.S. when this country won a pair of gold medals in the 2010 and 2014 World Championships, was expected to be a major contributor with his deep range shooting touch and shortened international three point line.
The United States will already be without NBA All Stars and Olympic veterans– point guard Chris Paul pf the Los Angeles Clippers and center Anthony Davis of New Orleans. All Star forward Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers has also withdrawn because of injury.
Curry led the NBA in scoring with a 30.1 point average, three point goals made with over 400 and three point shooting percentage.
Curry had spoken about wanting the chance to win Olympic gold, but suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee in the Warriors’ first round series against Houston and missed four games. He has been given his usual workload in the 11 games since.
“My previous experiences with USA Basketball have been incredibly rewarding, educational and enjoyable, which made this an extremely difficult decision for me and my family,” he said. “However, due to several factors– including recent ankle and knee injuries– I believe this is the best decision for me at this stage of my career.”
Curry said he had spoken with his family and recently informed UBA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo that he would not go to Brazil.
“Since Steph’s recent injuries, I’ve been in contact with him and I was aware that this decision was a strong possibility,” Colangelo said. “We appreciate Steph and his agent, Jeff Austin, keeping USA Basketball updated on his decision process.’
The Warriors have a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals and is two victories away from clinching its second consecutive NBA title. Curry will finish up the season.
Davis and Curry were both potential starters for the Americans.
Team USA Mike Krzyzewski– making his third appearance in the games– and the 12 man roster, which is expeced to be revealed in late June, will convene in Las Vegas July 17 to begin training camp that spans nearly a week and culminates with a July 22 exhibition game against 2004 Olympic champion Argentina in the city.
The preliminary roster now is down to 27 players: center LaMarcus Aldridge and guard Damian Lillard of Portland, forward Carmelo Anthony of the Knicks, forwards Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala, center Draymond Green, guard Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, guards Bradley Beal and John Wall of Washington, guard Jimmy Butler of Chicago, guard Mike Conley and forward Rudy Gay of Memphis, center DeMarcus Cousins of Sacramento, forward DeMar DeRozan of Toronto, center Andre Drummond of Detroit, forward Kevin Durant and guard Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, forward Kenneth Faried of Denver, guard James Harden and center Dwight Howard of Houston, forwards Gordon Hayward and Paul George of Indianapolis, point guard Kyrie Irving, forward LeBron James and forward Kevin Love of Cleveland, center DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers and forward Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio.
James, who have played in three Olympics, has says he has not made up his mind whether to participate. Since pros was voted into the games, the U.S. Olympic team won gold medals in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2012. But there the games no longer have the Dream Team luster they once possessed and as the World Championships gain steam globally, there are constant whispers because the summer games becoming a 23-and-under tournament in the future because of the increasing length of the NBA season.
No U.S. players have withdrawn from consideration due to Brazil related concerns but there are reports out of the Bay area Iguodala is considering withdrawing for that reason. Spain’s star forward Pau Gasol said recently he won’t play for the defending silver medalist because of the Zika virus. Gasol, without naming names, said he has talked to other athletes who told him they would hot play. “Some of these athletes are playing to have childen in the near future and this could affect them, it could affect the health of their kids and their wives,” he said in Madrid.