Steph Curry shot seals 'night night' fate

For all-time great athletes like Steph Curry, any type of physical or mental edge is utilized. When you're an all-time great, finding new ways to motivate and to stay sharp are important. Complacency and lack of intensity can take on different forms and need to be handled differently depending on individual circumstances. But for the shooting guard of the Golden State Warriors, keeping that killer mentality above all is what's most important.

So when he was seen wearing a hoodie with 'nuit nuit,' it symbolized much more than a fashion choice. For those who are catching up from high school French class, what was on his wardrobe is of the language from the host city of this year's Olympics. It literally translates to 'night night.' For those who have followed the career of the former Davidson player, they know all too well what this phrase means. On the court, he is something of an assassin.

Any shot is a good one for him; anything is makeable. And regardless of the coverage or if he's being double or even triple teamed, anytime the ball leaves his hands, it's likely to go in the basket. But the phrase and constant hand gestures may indicate something deeper here. For this Team USA, the Olympics have served a singular purpose of reestablishing and putting to bed who the best in the world are.

From LeBron James making his stance clear to the overall team approach, there is something of a collective mission to make sure that there's little room for doubt as to who the best basketball nation on the planet is. This could be seen as something of a petty goal or even meaningless. However, the fact remains that comparisons occur every day, not just in regards to present-day competition, but also to past years.

A lot of outside noise and influence can mount on players, and so there are two options for a player of Steph Curry's caliber if they choose to not just outright ignore the claims. Either you vocally combat what is seen as ridiculous statements or offer not so subtle but direct responses instead. Furthermore, the play and ultimately final result of what ensues is really the answer back from the players. Therefore, when he and others are playing into this 'night night' mantra, it's putting to rest multiple narratives.

Heroics from Steph Curry are being underappreciated

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For one, a lot of fans are claiming either that this team isn't any good, particularly when contrasted with the Dream Team, or that they are underachieving against the likes of Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama. Either way, the overall claim is that the American side isn't where it should be, that the team overall is overrated, and that some of the players are past their prime to the point of not deserving the recognition that they receive.

With a lot out there, players like Curry and James can't control what is said about them. But instead they made it a point and put it on themselves to make sure that they put their best foot forward and propelled this roster to another gold medal-winning performance. The skeptics will continue to find holes and voice their displeasure in the overall efforts and some of the showmanship aspects of these players, but that doesn't matter. This team set out what they meant to accomplish.

Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Steve Kerr don't have to say anything else. Finally, this chapter of USA Basketball turns the page while the dreams of someone else uprooting their basketball supremacy are forced to wait in reality after another night's sleep.