Steph Curry struggled in Team USA’s 103-86 victory over South Sudan on Wednesday. The veteran sharpshooter went 1-of-9 from the field and missed all six of his three-point attempts. Curry’s movement also went unrewarded on multiple possessions, with his teammates choosing to attack the gaps his cuts created rather than trust his scoring ability off the catch.
Curry is playing in his first Olympics. He has a star-studded roster surrounding him but he also has the familiar face of Steve Kerr on the sidelines. That duo has experienced a decade of sustained success together with the Golden State Warriors.
Kerr knows how to get the best out of the 36-year-old guard.
South Sudan was likely a difficult opponent for Curry. Their roster is full of players possessing length and athleticism. They clog the driving lanes and close out quickly on shooters. Curry also adapts to the different three-point line, which has likely hindered some of his shots. Nevertheless, he is the best shooter in the world, therefore, his teammates must find ways to get him better looks off the catch.
Curry is a genuine X-factor for Team USA. The veteran star provides a level of spacing that opens up the court for his teammates, but that spacing only works if he’s hitting his perimeter jumpers. He went 3-of-7 from deep against Serbia and while that is a respectable performance, he could and should be better.
Kerr must do more to get the best out of his star guard. As Team USA progresses deeper into the tournament, they will face far sterner defenses than South Sudan’s. The game plan must evolve. Otherwise, Curry’s impact could suffer.
