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Steph Curry, LeBron James, Anthony Davis Impress Fans in Team USA Win vs. SGA, Canada

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJuly 11, 2024

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: LeBron James #6 of the USA Basketball Men's Team dribbles the ball during the game against the Canada Basketball Men's Team on July 10, 2024 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images

Stephen Curry has never played in an Olympics for the Team USA basketball team. He sure looked ready to lead the United States to big thing in Paris this summer.

The Golden State Warriors star point guard was excellent on Wednesday, scoring 12 points to go along with three assists in the Americans 86-72 victory over Canada.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

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Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 13 points, while LeBron James (seven points, five rebounds, three assists) and Anthony Davis (10 points, 11 rebounds) had strong performances for the United States.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10) and RJ Barrett (12) led the way for Canada.

But after a slow start, the United States dominated, and fans and pundits alike were particularly impressed with the trio of Curry, James and AD:

Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba

Lebron out there being a defensive demon and the ultimate connector because he doesn't have to have 35 percent usage

Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 @JoshEberley

Curry to LeBron really is something

Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins

This second Unit led by Ant and Tatum offensively with AD and Bam anchoring the defense is going to be a problem!

27 @27woorld

Steph curry having soo much fun out there with sooo many #1 options 🥺🥺

PACKMAN🥷 @_2Pack

Seeing curry throw a alley to Lebron brought tears to my eyes

x9🏆 since '85 @LakersStannnnn

Looks like Kerr is giving the world what they want in having Bron and Curry together every time they're on the floor

hg ❄️ @2coldhg

That Curry/Lebron duo do go crazy. 🔥

Mr. Incognito @2HeiMakesBeats

Curry, Edward and AD get the game ball.

Netsfan24 @Bklynbridges24

Great win by team usa! Shook off a sloppy first quarter and finished strong with great defense and solid team play, AD definitely gets the game ball for me!

It was not such a great Team USA debut for Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, who fouled out and only managed five points, six rebounds and four turnovers in 12 minutes, shooting 2-of-5 from the field.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

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Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix

I remember Tim Duncan souring on international basketball two decades earlier ("FIBA sucks") in part over frustrations over how games are officiated. Joel Embiid, who fouls out in the third quarter tonight, is going to have to adjust.

M&Worthy @thatsanicepick

Got jokes off but in all seriousness I think Embiid can play better than he did today. AD/Bam probably the better fits defensively though. a lot of Embiid's value is being able to command great usage and get something out of it

Paul Hudrick @PaulHudrick

Joel Embiid had a rough night. He'll need to adjust to the way the FIBA game is called. It's one game. Everyone settle down.

In general, there will be rust to work off for the team at large beyond just Embiid, and head coach Steve Kerr will experiment with different lineups and combinations to maximize the enormous amount of talent he has at his disposal.

James thinks the team is on the right path.

"We know we're a lot better [then what we showed], but we've only been together four days," he said after the contest. All the miscues offensively, we'll get better with that. But as long as we defend, we're going to give ourselves a good chance to win every night."

FOX Sports @FOXSports

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"We just want to win gold. Whatever that takes," Curry added. "We always talk about, no matter what your stats are, no matter how many minutes you play, if everyone on the floor commits to just doing what you're asked to do, we'll be good."

Given the talent on hand, if the United States coalesces into a cohesive unit, no team in the world will stop them.