NBA superstar Steph Curry backs Kamala Harris at monster Olympics press conference
NBA superstar Steph Curry has publicly backed US vice-president Kamala Harris in front of the world’s media at a press conference alongside teammate Kevin Durant in Paris on Thursday.
The four-time NBA champion, who will make his Olympics debut alongside the likes of Durant and LeBron James, was asked about the presidential hopes of his “friend” Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Golden State star Stephen Curry presents Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden with Warriors jerseys at the White House last year.Credit: THE WASHINGTON POST
The press conference of the US basketball team is the biggest media gathering at each Olympic Games, with questions spanning from terrorism threats at the opening ceremony (including reassurances the Americans could swim in a worst-case scenario) to the future of the United States of America.
“It’s a very interesting time for our country, for sure,” the Golden State Warriors superstar said to the almost thousand-strong media contingent.
“In the fact that President Biden gave that endorsement, vice President Harris is primed to bring her energy to this campaign. Hopefully she’s on the ticket winning the election. It’s a big deal to say the least. She represents the Bay Area and is a big supporter of us. I’m going to give the energy right back to her.
“It’s a very monumental couple of months for our country and the direction we’re heading. Hoepfully this [is] our way to do our part to continue unifying the country. Sports brings a lot of people together. For her at this moment knowing what’s ahead, we’re all about positive energy and optimism given how divided our country is right now. I’m excited about the journey ahead for her.”
Steph Curry and Kevin Durant front the media in Paris on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images
Curry is one member of a star-studded US basketball team that also includes the likes of fellow championship-winners James, Durant, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis.
It’s the combination of Curry and James, long-time combatants in the NBA over several NBA finals series, that has most Americans excited.
“The experience of playing with a guy with his experience and IQ, his game speaks for itself for what he’s been able to accomplish on the court,” Curry said.
“His style of play in match as well - a guy who can dribble, pass, shoot - being able to work off him has been pretty seamless. You just try and make a play and something good will happen.
“You see what LeBron has been doing the last couple of games, closing out games as well. The chemistry is pretty natural. You have confidence whoever has the ball, you make a play, be yourself and hopefully something good comes out of it.”
The final question of the press conference revolved around James, in relation to comments recently made about his American teammate, Joel Embiid.
“LeBron now is not the LeBron of a couple of years ago,” the Philadelphia 76ers star recently said on a podcast.
“So it’s a big difference. The name may be there, but everybody would also tell you, and you can see it for yourself, that the athletic, dominant LeBron that he was a couple of years ago is not the same LeBron he is now.”
Curry laughed at the comments, making light of the number of podcasts NBA players keep appearing on. Durant said he had no issues with the comments but reiterated the 39-year-old’s value to the team.
“We’re all different as we get older, but the thing about greatness is you adjust and find ways to continue to be effective and that’s what LeBron has done at this age,” Durant said.
“He’s not running and jumping the same as he was when he was 25-26 years old, but he’s still jumping pretty high and running pretty fast.
“Of course we’re older players and we’ve got mileage on our bodies, but we figure out ways to be effective. Just as Joel has as he’s gone through injuries and trials throughout the league. You adjust and adapt, that’s what makes you a great player.”
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