The deferral to Stephen Curry in critical moments of the 2024 Paris Olympics, even by established stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, has been described as “the ultimate sign of respect” by Team USA head coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr, speaking to 95.7 The Game, detailed the leadership dynamics within a Team USA roster brimming with accomplished players. While acknowledging LeBron James’ vocal leadership and experience – James had participated in multiple Olympics – Kerr emphasized the organic way the team coalesced around Curry during key situations. “LeBron is definitely the more vocal of the two. Steph is a pretty quiet leader, leads by example,” Kerr said. He noted James’ consistent engagement throughout shoot-arounds and his familiarity with the Olympic environment helped establish a team structure.
The defining illustration of this respect, according to Kerr, occurred during the gold medal game. Despite their own considerable achievements – Durant and James, along with Joel Embiid, all being former MVPs – these players consistently passed to Curry when the game was on the line. “You saw it in the gold medal game, the guys all threw the ball to Steph. Whether it was Kevin Durant or LeBron, Joel,” Kerr explained. “All these guys were MVPs and incredible players, they did all defer to Steph down the stretch.”
This display of deference occurred after a period of complex relationships between the three stars. An ESPN report detailed a rivalry, a “bromance,” and a failed reunion between Curry, Durant and James, culminating in a recent game where James outscored Curry 42 to 37. A moment caught on camera during an All-Star game also showed an awkward interaction between James and Curry after a missed handshake, sparking debate on social media, according to Total Pro Sports.
Stephen Curry himself recently reflected on a moment during the Olympics where he intentionally passed off to teammates, avoiding shots despite being in a scoring rhythm. This decision, as reported by Pro Football Network, underscored his commitment to team play and trust in his fellow players.
Kerr’s comments highlight a shift in team dynamics, where experience and vocal leadership were complemented by a quiet, yet powerful, respect for Curry’s abilities in clutch moments. The Team USA head coach did not elaborate on any potential future team compositions or strategies.
