Dub Hub: Steph Curry confident a ‘flurry is coming’ despite Olympic shooting struggles

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, August 5th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steph Curry is confident that a “flurry is coming” despite his Olympic shooting struggles, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Ron Kroichick.
• Jazz star Lauri Markkanen is “unlikely” to sign an extension during his first day of eligibility on Aug. 6th, according to The Athletic.
• ESPN’s Brian Windhorst highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the remaining teams in the Olympic Basketball knockout stage.

Team USA cruised through the group stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, maintaining their undefeated record with a 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday. Anthony Edwards led the charge with 26 points off the bench, while Joel Embiid topped the starters with 15 points. With a commanding 87-59 lead heading into the fourth quarter, head coach Steve Kerr opted to rest his starters, including Stephen Curry.

The Golden State Warriors star has struggled to establish a rhythm throughout the tournament and Saturday was no different. Although Curry started strong against Puerto Rico by hitting his first two shots, he finished the game shooting a lackluster 3-of-8 from the field and 2-of-6 from beyond the arc for a total of eight points — least among the starters.

While the mere presence of Curry on the court exerts immense pressure on opposing defenses — whether his shot is falling or not — many were eager to witness the world’s best shooter showcase his skills on the international stage. So far, Curry has yet to meet those high expectations. However, as every Warriors fan knows, Curry has the uncanny ability to catch fire at any moment, and he remains confident that his signature “Curry Flurry” is imminent.

Via the San Francisco Chronicle:

“You want to continue to be confident shooting the ball — I always am,” Curry said. “I know a flurry is coming.”

On cue, without breaking stride, James turned his head and shouted back, “It sure is, goddamn it.”

Curry will have up to three more opportunities to break out of his slump assuming Team USA advances to the gold medal game. His next chance to do so comes on Tuesday when Team USA faces Brazil, featuring Curry’s Warriors teammate, Gui Santos.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, August 5th:

Warriors News:

Steph Curry: ‘I know a flurry is coming.’ LeBron James: ‘It sure is, goddamn it’ | San Francisco Chronicle

“Rarely does one person take over a (FIBA) game,” Curry said. “Guys who are 6-9 can find matchups, so it’s a little easier for them for sure. But on the whole, I think it just looks different, and you have to be comfortable with how it feels and looks compared to the NBA.

“The physicality doesn’t feel different on the court. But just because of the style of play, the shortened game, the load of talent we have, it’s going to look different. Once you adjust to that, and get comfortable, then you’re fine.”

Curry contributed in other ways, grabbing five rebounds to go with his eight points. He also had one slick, second-quarter assist, when he and Durant kept feeding each other after offensive rebounds — first Durant missed a 3-point try off a Curry pass, then Curry missed one off a Durant pass and then Durant finally made one off a Curry pass.

How the Warriors fit into the Lauri Markkanen deadlines and scenarios | The Athletic

I also think it’s the most likely — my guess is that if Markkanen won’t sign with Utah on Aug. 6, the deal won’t be there for him on Aug. 7 and beyond. I might be wrong, but that is my presumption. If that’s how it works out, it will be time to see what Utah can get on the trade market. And I think the Warriors would be in the front of the line, just as they were a few weeks ago when they first engaged in talks with the Jazz.

By the way, I’m going to go ahead and conclude that Scenario 1 is probably a non-starter. According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, it’s unlikely that Markkanen will sign the new deal by Tuesday, which makes sense. The 27-year-old Markkanen knows he’s going to get major money either now or next summer. By not signing this week, Markkanen essentially gains a bit of control over his future.

The state of the NBA trade landscape | The Stein Line

The Warriors, as of Sunday, continued to be regarded as the league’s most ardent Markkanen suitor ... but at the same time still unwilling to surrender Brandin Podziemski in a trade package for the 7-foot Finn. Golden State, to date, has pursued Markkanen without including Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga in trade packages laden with future draft compensation. Obviously no team, to this point, has met Danny Ainge’s asking price.

Draymond Green says not playing Jayson Tatum during the first Olympic game was ‘crazy’

Draymond Green gives passionate speech to a group of high school players

NBA News:

2024 Olympic knockout preview: Each team’s strengths and weaknesses | ESPN

Canada

Strengths: Excellent top-end talent with 10 current NBA players. The Canadians also have great wing depth, especially 3-and-D specialists Dillon Brooks and Luguentz Dort. Gilgeous-Alexander, perhaps the best player in the field so far, is tremendous in clutch situations and is Canada’s second-leading scorer (19.0 points per game), after RJ Barrett (21.0 PPG).

Weaknesses: Inconsistent 3-point shooting and rebounding. The team has made just 33% of its looks and its big men lack bulk, which is why Canada is last in rebounding (33 RPG). It tends to rely heavily on isolations, too, leading to its 19 assists per game — last among the remaining teams.

Commissioner Adam Silver says NBA could add a new league in Europe | The Athletic

The NBA could take advantage of what some European basketball executives see as a period of uncertainty. Top European basketball teams do not make as much money as NBA teams or their soccer peers. Some, or potentially most, even lose money, European basketball sources said. European basketball media rights are small compared to other leagues and sports.

There is also a desire to win at the top levels of European basketball that leads teams to eat losses in the pursuit of championships. A league led by the NBA could change those dynamics, European basketball officials say, even if it comes with an improved economic structure.

“The fear has always been if the NBA comes in, it’s going to be what the NBA is in the States: it’s business and it’s entertainment, and then it’s sports,” said one EuroLeague source.

Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards celebrates his 23rd birthday

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Moving on from Lauri Markkanen

And so the Warriors move on (probably). It’s not the worst thing in the world. At best, they’ve saved their trade chips for another player, should one become available between now and the start of the season, or between the start of the season and the trade deadline. At worst, they’ll enter the year keeping their exciting young crop of players fully intact.