by Jim SLATER
OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry wants to play for the United States at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but the Golden State Warriors star hasn’t made a final decision.
NBA scoring champion Curry, who sparked the Warriors to a record 73-win season, is too busy trying to lead Golden State to a second consecutive NBA Finals victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to focus on Olympic gold just yet.
And the 28-year-old guard wants to see how his body holds up through the best-of-seven championship series after knee and ankle injuries in the playoffs.
“I have no idea,” Curry told NBA.com. “I’m still in the pool and still the goal is to be on the Olympic team if that’s the right decision for me. I am leaving myself a little bit of room just because I don’t know what it’s going to be like. But in a couple weeks I’ll know for sure.”
Earlier, Curry told reporters he is looking forward to Rio and his first chance for Olympic gold.
“I’ve never played in the Olympics and that’s what it’s all kind of geared up to,” Curry said. “I think that’s definitely a special accomplishment to be able to be on that team.
“I’ve heard the Olympics and that sense of pride that you get when you’re out there and the opening ceremonies and actually playing in the event is second to nothing. So I’m looking forward to it.”
Curry, who made an NBA record 402 3-pointers this season, helped qualify US teams of NBA stars for Rio and the 2012 London Games by sparking American triumphs at the 2010 and 2014 Basketball World Cups.
“Every time I’ve played for Team USA, way back when I was 19 to the last two World Championships, it’s always is a huge honor to represent your country, play against some of the best competition in the world and have that sense of pride for wearing USA across your chest,” Curry said.
Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving, a teammate of Curry on the last world team but his foe in the NBA Finals, welcomes the chance to partner with him in an Olympic backcourt.
“Well, as of right now we’re not on the same team, so I’m not really thinking about the Olympics, but it would be great if we played together this summer,” Irving said.
The US Olympic roster of NBA stars is expected to be announced before the end of June, with players set to report for the US training camp in Las Vegas on July 18-21. The Americans will play a series of pre-Olympic exhibitions before the Rio Games open on August 5.
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