Finally, Steph Curry is on the Olympic stage for the first time in his career. While he's had stints competing for the FIBA World Cup, the former unanimous MVP is playing for the national team to win Gold medal for the first time in his career.
But why did one of the game's icons take so long to wield this stage? Why didn't he compete for Gold when he was at the top of his game in 2016? Initially, it was expected that Curry would participate in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro, but he abruptly announced during the 2016 NBA Finals that he would forgo the event.
"After a great deal of internal thought and several discussions with my family, the Warriors and my representatives, I've elected to withdraw my name from the list of eligible players on Team USA's preliminary roster for the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil. I recently informed [USA Basketball chairman] Jerry Colangelo of this decision," Curry said in a statement, per ESPN.com
"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. 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. It's an incredible honor to represent your country and wear 'USA' on your chest, but my primary basketball-related objective this summer needs to focus on my body and getting ready for the 2016-17 NBA season."
The real reason he skipped
Most ardent Golden State Warriors fans remember 2016 for all the wrong reasons. The blown 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals probably still keeps the MVP up some nights. But you may recall the injuries he dealt with through the back-half of the 2015-16 season. Steph first injured his ankle against the Portland Trailblazers in the semifinals — before he fashionably returned to the lineup and told the world, "I'm back."
However, the injury lingered throughout the postseason and may have reached its worst state against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"Since Steph's recent injuries, I've been in contact with him and I was aware that this decision was a strong possibility," said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo in a statement . "We appreciate Steph and his agent, Jeff Austin, keeping USA Basketball updated on his decision process.
"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. Steph is a two-time FIBA World Cup gold medalist who has a lot of equity with USA Basketball and has made great contributions since he first began playing the United States at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship. Steph has always represented his country in an exemplary manner, and we are sorry that he won't be able to be with us this summer."
The decision came when Steph's Warriors held a 2-0 lead over James' Cavs. The original plan was to wrap up the series as quickly as possible so Steph would have as much summertime as possible to heal his injured ankle. Instead, his team collapsed in the last three games of the series, Steph's injury got worse, and the world was deprived of seeing the best shooter ever on the grandest stage of the competition—a lose-lose-lose situation.
8 years later — we have our opportunity
Although he isn't the 28-year-old MVP he was nearly a decade ago, Curry is still an elite player that the world is itching to watch in the Paris Olympics. So, what can we expect from the "Baby-faced assassin" during the tournament?
In what is likely his first and final Olympic competition, the Warriors superstar will want to stand tall on this stage; another reason for that is getting the opportunity to play with the man who dethroned him 8 years ago.
Recently, Steph picked LeBron as the player he is most excited to play with this summer. Not only are they the two faces of NBA basketball, but they are finally getting the shot at the very end of their career to play alongside each other.
James has long wondered what it would feel like to zip a pass through four defenders, resulting in a Curry 3-pointer. Curry has long wondered what it would feel like racing out in transition to watch the Lakers star fly through the air to catch and finish an alley-oop of his pass.
Now, he doesn't have to wonder if it already happened against Team Canada. That was just the first of many games this summer. James has already announced that this is his last Olympic rodeo. Expect the two superstars to make the most of his glowing opportunity.
Related: Steve Kerr shares an important role Steph Curry will have for Team USA: "I know he will make my job is easier"
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