USA Dream Team 2.0 ready to rock Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: Stephen Curry hesitates when asked to give a nickname to the US basketball team heading to the Paris Olympics.

The Golden State Warriors point guard is part of a 12-star roster that includes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards.

No American team has had this much talent and star power since the legendary 1992 Dream Team that included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which demolished all opponents to win gold at the Barcelona Olympics.

Under the direction of Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the U.S. team is in Abu Dhabi this week as part of its preparations for the 2024 Olympics and will face Australia on Monday and Serbia on Wednesday in exhibition matches at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

As James and company warm up behind Curry before a workout at NYU Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the star didn’t dare choose a label for the group that will be aiming for a fifth straight Olympic gold medal in Paris.

“I had to do my homework. I don’t know if Magic, Michael and Larry came up with that nickname themselves and went around calling themselves the ‘Dream Team,’ or if that was the nickname that the fans and the media gave them,” Curry told reporters in the United Arab Emirates capital.

“I think we’re going to have the same vibe. We just want to be considered a gold medal team and whatever nickname comes with it, we’ll accept it. But we’ve got a great group, obviously, so I’m excited about what we can do and hopefully we can do it.”

A first Olympiad for Steph

Curry has represented the United States at previous World Cups but never at the Olympics, and the 36-year-old is eager for his first experience at the Games.

“For me, everything about the Olympics is just a kid in a candy store, because I’ve never been able to experience that before,” he said.

The United States’ victory over Canada in an exhibition game in Las Vegas last week marked Curry’s first appearance with the national team in 10 years. He played 19 minutes and had 12 points and three assists.

Managing Star Power

Head coach Steve Kerr assured reporters that managing such a loaded roster “is not difficult at all” and while the team is still determining the best combinations on the field, he is confident his players will deliver when it matters most.

Curry described what it’s like to be part of such a strong collective, saying, “It’s been an incredible experience so far. It’s like the energy in this group, a lot of guys that have accomplished a lot in the game of basketball in their careers and it feels like we’re having fun playing. And that’s the cool thing about what we have in front of us.”

“Because you put aside your goals, you put aside your egos, you bring the healthy egos of who you are, but you put aside everything that’s not just winning. We talk about it every day. And hopefully we can show that when we actually get started.”

Tatum, who helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship last month, spoke of the challenge of having just three weeks to get to know his new teammates before the Olympics.

“You have to get used to playing with 11 new players. You have to find the balance between being unselfish and still being yourself and being the guy who made you a player on the team. You have to be yourself,” the 26-year-old forward said.

“So you have to find the balance, never step on anyone’s toes, but always play the right way and be aggressive in your own way.”

Celtics trio adds championship DNA to team

There are three Celtics players on Team USA – Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White – and they are eager to contribute to what has already been a successful year for them.

Tatum and Holiday were part of the team that won gold at Tokyo 2020, but this time they return to the team as defending NBA champions.

A true star, Tatum is ready to take on any role Kerr assigns him, even if it means coming off the bench.

Kerr will test different starting lineups in warm-up matches in Abu Dhabi and London before the team flies to Lille for their first match of the Olympics against World Cup silver medallists Serbia on July 28.

“Honestly, every American team I’ve played on, since junior basketball, I’ve always come off the bench. That’s not something to look down on. There’s so many talented guys and you know I was the second-leading scorer in Tokyo. The main goal is for us to win,” Tatum said.

“If I’m a starter, if I come off the bench, I know how to impact the game and how to win at the highest level.”

LeBron ‘thrilled’ to be back in Middle East

After a brief visit to Dubai in 2022, and a stop in Riyadh last year where he held a clinic with young Saudi basketball players, James is back in the region, set to play his first game in the Middle East against Australia on Monday.

“I’m excited to be here again. I spent some time in Saudi Arabia, I was also in Dubai and now I’m here in Abu Dhabi. I’m looking forward to Monday’s game, Wednesday’s game and seeing the reception that Team USA gives us. I’m super excited. It’s always a treat,” James said.

The 39-year-old Lakers forward is seeking a third Olympic gold medal this summer, following those he won in 2008 and 2012.

As the oldest player on the roster, James feels it is important to take on a mentoring role within the team, alongside his fellow veterans.

“Absolutely, it’s always a responsibility that you have to take with honor and be able to give back to the younger generation, because they have to continue when we’re done,” he said.

“So it’s a responsibility for me, KD and Steph to be able to just show them the ropes.”

KD still on the sidelines

The team’s most experienced Olympic player is Durant, who helped the United States win gold at the last three Games.

The Phoenix Suns forward has yet to practice with Team USA as he continues to deal with a calf strain. Kerr said Durant won’t play in Monday’s game against Australia, but he’s not overly concerned about the injury.

The coach said he has yet to find a potential replacement for Durant and appears confident the 35-year-old will be ready to play in France.

“We haven’t even discussed a contingency plan yet. We’re confident he’s going to be okay, it’s just a matter of day to day,” Kerr said.