Dub Hub: Steph Curry shines in Team USA’s 86-72 win over Canada

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Thursday, July 11th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steph Curry’s 12 points helps lead Team USA to an 86-72 victory over Canada in their first exhibition game.
• Warriors Summer League team wins the California Classic finale.
• Kawhi Leonard withdraws from Team USA, will be replaced by Celtics’ Derrick White.

Team USA tipped off their first exhibition game on Wednesday night with a dominant 86-72 victory over Team Canada. The game, held at a packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featured high level NBA talent on both teams as the two countries prep for the upcoming Paris Olympics later this month.

Golden State Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry was among the standout performances during last night’s game. He lit up the scoreboard with 12 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field, including three three-pointers. Despite playing in a game full of stars, Curry’s signature style of play, marked by his infectious enthusiasm and three-point marksmanship, shined the brightest for the world to see.

Fans were especially thrilled to witness Curry finally teaming up with fellow NBA superstar LeBron James. The duo did not disappoint, providing several electrifying highlights throughout the game, including this classic Curry relocation three with the aid of a well-placed James’ screen.

Minutes later, Curry returned the favor as the duo raced down the court for a fast break. Curry lobbed an alley-oop pass to James, who finished with a thunderous dunk, bringing the crowd to its feet.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, July 11th:

Warriors News:

Steph Curry highlights Team USA’s 86-72 win over Team Canada

What we learned as Dubs hold off Kings in California Classic finale | NBC Sports Bay Area

Back from their week-long stay in Las Vegas where they played for the USA Men’s Basketball Select Team against Team USA, Podziemski and Jackson-Davis looked very comfortable and relaxed on the Chase Center court.

Just like they were as rookies, the duo played with an infectious energy on both ends.

Podz scored seven points in the first quarter. In typical Podz fashion, he was all over the court defensively and drew a charging call in the second quarter.

Jackson-Davis wasn’t as active offensively, taking only seven shots. But he jump-started a few fastbreaks with his work in the paint.

How Team USA’s Yin and Yang coaches Kerr, Spoelstra balance each other | NBC Sports Bay Area

“Being coached by Steve I’d say is a little more laid back,” Heat star big man Bam Adebayo, and member of Team USA, said to NBC Sports Bay Area on Tuesday after their final day of training camp at UNLV. “Especially compared to somebody like Spo. Spo’s just real intense.

“That’s just his nature. He’s real intense. He’s a savant when it comes to studying basketball. So I’d just say the laid-backness of coach Kerr is definitely one thing that stands out.”

Melton and Anderson Reunite on Warriors, Embracing Defense and High IQ Brand of Basketball | NBA

Speaking of similar strengths, both Melton and Anderson emphasized defense and basketball IQ among the most significant ways they impact the game. Melton shared that his defensive-first mentality was instilled from a very young age.

“Since I was born, everybody in my family harps on defense,” Melton said. “Scoring is good, but can you get a stop? We pride ourselves on defense; defense wins championships.”

Anderson utilizes his 6’8 frame and 7’3 wingspan to be a versatile and switchable defender, prioritizing competing hard and attacking the glass for rebounds. He grew up playing point guard, watching nine-time All-Defensive Team guard and Bay Area Native Jason Kidd.

Steve Kerr explains how injuries affected Klay Thompson during his last years with the Warriors

NBA News:

Team USA’s call on Kawhi Leonard, Derrick White, Grant Hill says | ESPN

“We just felt that we had to pivot, and not to get into the particulars, in terms of what went into the decision, but we just felt it was in our best interest, but also in the Clippers’ and Kawhi’s best interest, to move into a different direction,” Hill said Wednesday evening in a news conference before Team USA’s first exhibition game against Team Canada at T-Mobile Arena. “We tried. I think we all tried and we gave it a valiant effort, and unfortunately, we have to move forward.”

Asked directly whether that meant it was Hill’s, and by extension Team USA’s, decision to send Leonard home, he said, “We did. Ultimately he was sent home, but we were in conversation with the Clippers on that.”

NBA finalizes TV deals with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon

Utah’s Two Timelines of Bad | Swish Theory

Utah needs to take a hard look at themselves and around the league. The Spurs rebuild changed entirely with Wembanyama. They’re armed with a budding superstar, a relatively clean cap sheet, and a haul of draft picks they can use to accelerate the rebuild by consolidating around their young stars. If the Jazz can snag Flagg, Boozer, or any of the other blue-chippers, things begin to come into focus. Those future picks can be used to accelerate things around that new star. Roles and outlooks of the current prospect crop they possess begin to solidify. They could find themselves with a core of players and picks that would make other rebuilding franchises jealous.

Or they could stay on this path, stick in limbo, and make this rebuild even more difficult. Your call, Mr. Ainge.

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Steve Kerr on Klay Thompson’s departure: ‘It’s what’s right for him’

Speaking to reporters at a Team USA practice ahead of the Olympics, Kerr admitted that this was the right move for Thompson, saying, “I think it makes sense for him in his heart to get a different change of pace, change of location. Get out of California, go play on a different team. It’s what’s right for him right now.”

It goes without saying that Kerr was also effusive in his praise of Thompson, and expressed a lot of love for his now-former player, saying things like, “We wish Klay well, but we love him and we’ll miss him,” and “Klay’s going to have a statue outside Chase someday, he’ll be beloved by his teammates and coaches and our fans forever.”

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