Steph Confirms How LeBron Fueled His Paris Olympics Turnaround

Steph Confirms How LeBron Fueled His Paris Olympic Turnaround originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Everyone needs positive, encouraging words. Steph Curry too.

The Warriors star player was in a deep shooting slump during the recent 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and tried to talk himself out of the cold spell.

But it was LeBron James, a great rival turned teammate on Team USA, who got Curry going just in time for the medal round, when the two-time NBA MVP launched an explosive offense to secure the gold medal.

Curry confirmed James’ influence when he appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last week (courtesy of Lakers Nation) as he discussed how he got out of his slump.

“It’s a lot of positive self-talk,” Curry told Colbert. “That’s really all it is. We were winning and I was doing my part, doing other things, setting good screens, just trying to play hard, playing defense. But I knew at some point I had to make some shots. That’s why I’m here.

“And I remember after the pool round against Puerto Rico, I was doing an interview with one of the guys from the Bay Area, and as he was talking, he asked me the same question: ‘What’s wrong with your shot? Are you worried about it?’ Yada yada. And the positive self-talk came out. I was like, ‘No, we’re winning. I know it’s coming. I know there’s a wave coming.

“And when I said it, LeBron was right behind me and he was like, ‘Damn, it’s true,’ in his little baritone voice. And I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ At first it was a bit of a shock because I was still getting used to the guy because of all the fights we had. And now we’re teammates and friends and it definitely gave me a confidence boost. And it finally came at the right time.”

Colbert naturally wondered if Curry and James’ newfound friendship would get in the way of their heated battles with the Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers this season.

“Not at all,” Curry said.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle is the reporter Curry spoke to in early August when James made the comment.

Curry began the medal round averaging just 7.2 points per game during the Olympics, but in the semifinals and gold medal game he scored a total of 60 points, including 17 of 26 three-pointers.

The four-time NBA champion secured Team USA the gold medal with four 3-pointers in the final 2:47 against France, closing out the victory with a “Golden Dagger” over two defenders.

Curry came into action at the perfect time and made sure James got credit as well.

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