Stephen Curry’s first-ever appearance at the Summer Olympics was nothing short of spectacular.
His remarkable performances in the semifinals and gold medal game were crucial to the United States men’s national team securing its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Curry’s sharpshooting led the team to victory, sinking 17 of 26 3-pointers in the two crucial contests.
It is safe to say that Team USA owes its gold medal to Curry’s exceptional efforts.
From sparking a comeback in the semifinals to hitting clutch shots in the gold medal game, Curry showcased his immense talent on the Olympic stage. His iconic “night night” celebration after sinking a pivotal 3-pointer further solidified his impact on the team.
Despite Curry’s invaluable contributions throughout the tournament, he fell short of winning the MVP award, which was instead bestowed upon LeBron James.
So, why did Curry miss out on the MVP title? Let’s delve into the reasons behind James’ selection.
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Why Stephen Curry didn’t win the Olympics MVP
Curry’s MVP snub can be attributed to the fact that the award was based on overall tournament performance, not just the championship game. While Curry delivered standout performances in the crucial matches, James’ consistent excellence throughout Team USA’s six games ultimately earned him the MVP honor.
Prior to the semifinals, Curry faced challenges at the Olympics, particularly in finding his rhythm from long range. This hindered his impact on the team, despite his late heroics in the tournament’s closing stages.
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Stephen Curry’s Olympic stats
Curry’s phenomenal shooting display in the semifinals and finals significantly boosted his overall numbers, making for an intriguing comparison with James’ statistics.
Let’s take a look at the contrasting figures in Curry’s Olympic journey:
| Games 1-4 | Games 5-6 | Totals | |
| Games | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| MPG | 19.3 | 31.5 | 23.3 |
| PPG | 7.3 | 30.0 | 14.8 |
| RPG | 2.5 | 4.5 | 3.2 |
| APG | 2.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| TOV | 0.8 | 3.5 | 1.7 |
| FG-FGA | 10-28 (35.7%) | 20-32 (62.5%) | 30-60 (50.0%) |
| 3FG% | 5-20 (25.0%) | 17-26 (65.4%) | 22-46 (47.8%) |
| FT% | 4-4 (100.0%) | 3-3 (100%) | 7-7 (100.0%) |
Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James: Olympic stats
Despite Curry’s late surge, he surpassed James as Team USA’s leading scorer at the Olympics. However, James excelled in rebounds and assists per game, showcasing his all-around impact on the team.
James’ consistency and versatility ultimately tilted the MVP race in his favor, with the final scoring margin between the two superstars being minimal.
| Curry | James | |
| MPG | 23.3 | 24.5 |
| PPG | 14.8 | 14.2 |
| RPG | 3.2 | 6.8 |
| APG | 2.5 | 8.5 |
| TOV | 1.7 | 4.0 |
| FG% | 50.0% | 66.0% |
| 3P% | 47.8% | 30.8% |
| FT% | 100.0% | 73.3% |