Shows a lot of integrity to walk away from something great when you don't think you're adding value any more, Ethan. Most people just keep doing the thing until they get the chop. Bravo for that.
One can hope that Steph serves as a great example for the current generation of young hoopers about the value of sticking in one spot and riding the good and bad - seems like it already has had an impact
The Tatum thing was pretty funny. They didn't need him handling the ball b/c they had LeBron and he was 0-16 on jumpers in the tournament so they didn't need him spotting up. I also think he's just not really Kerr's type of player b/c he plays slow. But whatever. Steph obviously was the story. There really is nothing like it sports when he gets hot. Seeing him, LeBron and KD, the three best players of this generation, play such a big part in closing out the last 2 games was really cool.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I'll remember this Olympics for Serbia absolutely choking away their version of Miracle On Ice. The 6 point possession that got the US back in it, Joker picking up his 4th foul and then just not guarding Embiid anymore, Bogey absolutely self destruction in the 4th quarter, all the wide open missed 3s by the Sebs (0-10 in the 4th!). Joker and Bogey combined to go 3-16 from 3 in the game, and if they just shoot a (still bad) 5-16, they win. Steph was magnificent in the last 2 games, but I can't shake the feeling that this was more a Serbia all-time gag than Team USA coming through in the clutch.
Come on man, we all saw the game. There's no one within a mile from Dobric when he missed the 3 with Serbia up 2 and 2:37 left. And most of Joker's threes were wide open. The moment was too big for Sebia, it happens. But saying this was some mythical defensive surge is disingenuous. The backcourt violation on Bogey when he was bringing up the ball late was a microcosm of the 4th quarter. Team USA was great, but that comeback needed a lot of help from Serbia.
The thing about Steph is that he is the best shooter ever, and he came of age when the NBA game became very much a shooting contest. I think there's a clear sense of distaste toward that, that isn't always spoken aloud, but it's there. People talk about the threes-and-two-footers nature of the game, but at the same time don't really want to address the emptying out of other skills in the way the game is played (interior defense, rebounding, intermediate jumpers off the dribble, etc.). And a recognition that Steph is freaking awesome somehow rubs against that, even though he's a terrific ballhandler and good perimeter defender.
- I much prefer FIBA rules/ style. The NBA isn't scripted but there is such a defined flow and star deference, it was nice to watch something else.
- I don't understand the Euro "higher IQ" thing and didn't really here it or see it on Twitter that much. The US team is awesome but it's incredible how much better the Euros have gotten across the board. (Juxtapose that with our soccer btw).
I thought everyone was rooting for USA, based on the limited sample size of my friends on FB in a couple sports groups. Warriors fans were probably over represented due to my location but even the non-Steph stans were rooting hard for the team.
Shows a lot of integrity to walk away from something great when you don't think you're adding value any more, Ethan. Most people just keep doing the thing until they get the chop. Bravo for that.
One can hope that Steph serves as a great example for the current generation of young hoopers about the value of sticking in one spot and riding the good and bad - seems like it already has had an impact
The Tatum thing was pretty funny. They didn't need him handling the ball b/c they had LeBron and he was 0-16 on jumpers in the tournament so they didn't need him spotting up. I also think he's just not really Kerr's type of player b/c he plays slow. But whatever. Steph obviously was the story. There really is nothing like it sports when he gets hot. Seeing him, LeBron and KD, the three best players of this generation, play such a big part in closing out the last 2 games was really cool.
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I'll remember this Olympics for Serbia absolutely choking away their version of Miracle On Ice. The 6 point possession that got the US back in it, Joker picking up his 4th foul and then just not guarding Embiid anymore, Bogey absolutely self destruction in the 4th quarter, all the wide open missed 3s by the Sebs (0-10 in the 4th!). Joker and Bogey combined to go 3-16 from 3 in the game, and if they just shoot a (still bad) 5-16, they win. Steph was magnificent in the last 2 games, but I can't shake the feeling that this was more a Serbia all-time gag than Team USA coming through in the clutch.
You must have missed USA playing D in desperation mode.
Come on man, we all saw the game. There's no one within a mile from Dobric when he missed the 3 with Serbia up 2 and 2:37 left. And most of Joker's threes were wide open. The moment was too big for Sebia, it happens. But saying this was some mythical defensive surge is disingenuous. The backcourt violation on Bogey when he was bringing up the ball late was a microcosm of the 4th quarter. Team USA was great, but that comeback needed a lot of help from Serbia.
Both things can be true.
That's fair
The thing about Steph is that he is the best shooter ever, and he came of age when the NBA game became very much a shooting contest. I think there's a clear sense of distaste toward that, that isn't always spoken aloud, but it's there. People talk about the threes-and-two-footers nature of the game, but at the same time don't really want to address the emptying out of other skills in the way the game is played (interior defense, rebounding, intermediate jumpers off the dribble, etc.). And a recognition that Steph is freaking awesome somehow rubs against that, even though he's a terrific ballhandler and good perimeter defender.
I can’t believe it never occurred to me that NBC used to bury Olympic bball out of spite.
I used to think it was frequently weird time-zone differences. But you are right, this one was more accessible than the previous 4.
I realize this was the first time a Team USA fan that isn’t a Warriors fan could enjoy a Steph barrage and fall into the crescendo of excitement as each three fell. https://x.com/LegendOfWinning/status/1822381734551335296
Thoughts:
- Curry, my goodness, that was amazing
- I much prefer FIBA rules/ style. The NBA isn't scripted but there is such a defined flow and star deference, it was nice to watch something else.
- I don't understand the Euro "higher IQ" thing and didn't really here it or see it on Twitter that much. The US team is awesome but it's incredible how much better the Euros have gotten across the board. (Juxtapose that with our soccer btw).
- I love Jrue Holiday
I think people are mixing iq with style … euros play better team game which people interpret as “smarter”
Yeap. Agreed here - European basketball has figured out flow and pacing.
I thought everyone was rooting for USA, based on the limited sample size of my friends on FB in a couple sports groups. Warriors fans were probably over represented due to my location but even the non-Steph stans were rooting hard for the team.
Everyone seemed to love it.
"meta-conversation". I wonder how hard that was to find.
It’s hard to imagine an NBA without Steph curry.
I remember the 90s and it was FUN
What more can be said about #30? He is a great person period!