Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis spoke enthusiastically about the experience of playing alongside Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry at the U.S. national team's training camp for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
“I’ll tell you what — playing with a guy like Steph Curry is just phenomenal,” Davis said. “The way he sees the court, the passes he’s able to make, it’s really taken my game to another level here.”
Davis, making his second Olympic appearance after winning gold in 2016, marveled at Curry's abilities as an elite point guard and how that has elevated the entire team's offensive chemistry.
“Steph has this uncanny ability to find you in the right spot, right when you need the ball. It makes my job so much easier, to be able to just catch and finish around the rim,” Davis said. “The spacing he provides, the way he gets the defense’s attention — it’s like having a cheat code there.”
The seven-time All-Star acknowledged that facing Curry in the NBA regular season can be a daunting challenge, but having the chance to be his teammate has been an invaluable experience.
“When you’re going against him, you have to be on high alert every second. But when he’s on your side, it’s just pure joy. You can just focus on your job, because you know he’s going to put you in the right position to succeed,” Davis said.
Beyond Curry's passing magic, Davis pointed to the two-time MVP's infectious enthusiasm and leadership as key factors in the national team's cohesion.
“Steph has this positive, energetic presence that rubs off on everyone. He’s always encouraging us, he keeps the mood high at practice. You can tell he’s really excited to be here, to represent his country,” Davis observed.
The towering 6-foot-10 power forward expressed confidence that Curry's championship pedigree and winning mentality will be a major asset as Team USA chases gold in Paris.
“Having a guy like Steph, who’s been through it all at the highest level – the Finals, the Olympics, everything – it’s invaluable. He knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage,” Davis said. “I soak up as much of him as I can, trying to learn from his experience and his leadership.”
As the team's training camp continues, Davis is eager to continue developing chemistry with Curry and the rest of the star-studded roster. "This is a special group, and I feel honored to be a part of it. With Steph leading the way, I like our chances of bringing home that gold medal."
