Golden State Warriors Point Guard Steph Curry has announced that he will not travel to Tokyo, Japan for the 2021 Summer Olympic Games next month. His head coach, Steve Kerr, confirmed the news on Monday during an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area.
“I think it makes perfect sense, actually. Steph has so many demands on his time. He has to play so hard for so much of the season,” Kerr explained.
“He’s 180 pounds. He’s [33 years old]. He needs rest. I’m happy for Steph that he’s going to get plenty of rest and family time this summer, and he’ll be ready to go come to training camp in September.”
Curry is not the only NBA superstar to opt-out of the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. Los Angeles Lakers Forward LeBron James has also indicated that he will not play in Japan next month. Instead, James will produce episodes of The Shop for HBO and release his highly-anticipated children's movie, Space Jam: A New Legacy.
“I think I’m going to play for the Tune Squad this summer instead of the Olympics,” James said.
“I think that’s what my focus [is] on, trying to beat the Monstars, or the Goon Squad we call them now. So, didn’t have much success versus the Suns, so now I am gearing my attention to the Goon Squad here in July, mid-July.”
James' teammate, Anthony Davis, is also expected to forego this summer's Olympic Games. While Curry, Davis and James will be missed, the team is in good hands. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, James Harden, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum have all committed to playing in Tokyo next month. Team USA is favored to bring home the gold medal yet again.
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