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Curry decides to skip Olympics
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STEPHEN Curry has withdrawn from consideration for the Olympics, leaving the United States basketball team without the NBA’s MVP.
Curry said in a statement on Monday that he has decided to pull out due to “several factors — including recent ankle and knee injuries”.
He didn’t say what the other factors were that he referenced. Several athletes have expressed concerns about the water situation in Rio and the Zika virus.
The guard is the highest-profile absence for the two-time defending gold medalists, who will already be without NBA All-Stars Chris Paul and Anthony Davis.
Curry has won a pair of world titles with the Americans and was a starter when they won the 2014 Basketball World Cup. He had spoken of wanting the chance to win Olympic gold, but missed six games in the postseason with a right knee injury.
“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,” Curry 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, 28, said he had spoken with his family, the Warriors and his representatives, and recently informed USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo that he would not go to Brazil.
“Obviously we are disappointed that Steph will not be available this summer, but we understand these situations arise and we are fully supportive of his decision,” Colangelo said.
The Americans have a list of 31 players in their roster pool for this summer — and plan to name their 12-man roster later this month.
Curry, the first player to be voted a unanimous MVP and the league’s leading scorer, certainly would have been on it. He started all nine games for the Americans in Spain, averaging 10.7 points, and his USA Basketball experience dates to when he played for the under-19 team in 2007 that won a silver medal.
He could have been the team’s biggest star in Rio, with Kobe Bryant retired and LeBron James still uncommitted. But Curry decided it’s more important that he rest, following a demanding regular season in which the Warriors set the NBA record with 73 victories, and a postseason run that’s included ankle and elbow injuries on top of the sprained knee.
The Warriors, who have a 2-0 lead over James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA finals, could still have a strong presence in Rio. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes remain candidates for the US team.
Paul, who won two golds with the US, had already opted not to play this time, and fellow point guards John Wall of Washington and Mike Conley of Memphis are coming off injuries. The Americans still have Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Portland’s Damian Lillard as possibilities at the position.
The Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge also has withdrawn from consideration because of a finger injury this spring.
Curry will miss the chance to play for the Americans at his home arena, as the US will play China in an exhibition game at Oracle Arena in Oakland in July.
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