PARIS — Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant sat behind a desk in front of what was probably the biggest press conference of their basketball lives — which is saying something.
Hundreds of reporters and rows of cameras stared at them inside the ballroom of the Main Press Center here in Paris. It’s the latest example of one of the Summer Olympics’ most enduring traditions – the international star of the United States Men’s National Basketball Team.
From Michael and Larry in Barcelona to the present day, the pre-Games press briefing is always a combination of excited media/fans, Olympic volunteers sneaking in for a look and often bizarre yet hysterical questions.
In that case, what if something goes wrong during Friday’s Opening Ceremony, where each country’s delegation – including USA Basketball – will be on a boat floating down the River Seine in a water parade of nations.
“If something is going on there, have you as a team talked about it?” a reporter asked. “Do you know how to swim, for example?”
Both Curry and Durant – and the rest of the room – started laughing.
“You’re like a flight attendant saying ‘the exits are over there in case you need to get off,’” Steph said with a smile. “No one is thinking about that.”
“If you’re on the boat, you can’t run anywhere,” the reporter pressed.
“Are you writing a story about this?” Durant cracked.
“Our goal is positivity,” Curry said. “Let’s get on that boat, enjoy it and then get out of it.”
Curry is 36 years old. Durant is 35. They join 39-year-old LeBron James in bringing a veteran lean to the American roster.
They also offer a proof of concept about the meaning of the Olympics. None of them need to be here. Durant and LeBron are in their fourth Olympics, and although it’s Curry’s first, he joins the others as already outrageously rich, famous, talented and busy – in business and family.
However, they seemed as excited as anyone to be in Paris. An honor Durant kept calling for. LeBron is even the male flag bearer for the Americans during the Opening Ceremony. They know they are different, but they seem to want to be just another athlete here.
Curry was especially surprised when a reporter declared him the biggest star of the Games.
“I don’t know if I feel that way,” Curry said. “We are not staying in the Olympic Village and there is a [security] reason for that, but when we get around the other athletes, we are all representing our countries.
“The NBA thing is part of who we are,” he continued, “but it doesn’t make us any different than any guy or girl to our right or left. They are the same colors, the same costumes, the same letters on the chest. I look forward to this bonding experience.”
The differences are undeniable. Then-NBA Commissioner David Stern’s decision to send NBA players to the 1992 Olympics triggered a wave of enthusiasm and interest that helped transform basketball into a global sport.
All these decades later, USA Basketball’s media session remains probably the most attended press conference of the Games. He helped convince generations of children around the world to take up a sport born in America.
The original Dream Team only faced nine opponents who played in the NBA. This will face approximately 64, including reigning league MVP Nikola Jokić (Serbia) and Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama (France).
“It’s global,” Durant said.
The basketball team will be in Paris during Friday’s opening ceremony and – barring a nautical tragedy, of course – will head to Lille, about a two-hour train ride to the Northwest, for a group basketball game. They will almost certainly return to Paris for the qualifiers, which is particularly attractive because it will also allow them to absorb the traditional Olympic experience.
Both Curry and Durant talked about being able to participate in other events in person, from gymnastics to beach volleyball.
“You want to support other sports and other athletes that you might know,” Durant said. “The energy level is high and you kind of feed off that.”
“You get excited watching other athletes compete at a high level,” Curry said. “I think this is contagious. You don’t want to just sit in your hotel room and watch TV.
“I know there are moments of the day when you work, undergo treatment, prepare and the rest is allowing yourself to be free to be part of the Olympics. I think this will be contagious. Be in the moment. Be where your feet are.”
Hopefully firmly in the boat this Friday.
