Even though they're not staying in the Olympic Village, Team USA players are determined to experience the Olympics. Stephen Curry, who is experiencing his first (and probably last) Olympics at age 36, is discovering the Olympic world and its pin trading.
However, basketball players are not like other athletes given their fame.
“At first I didn’t feel like just an athlete because people would come up to me and ask, ‘Can I take a picture with you?’” explains the one who caught fire, with 36 points, against Serbia. “It was that kind of vibe. I had to stop and tell them, ‘No, I want to know who you are, what you do and balance things out, because you’re here for a reason too.’”
A source of inspiration
By staying in Paris from the group stage onwards, Team USA players were able to fully enjoy the various events. A small group including Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker went to watch the gymnastics event the day after the victory over South Sudan.
“I had never seen a gymnastics competition so close,” recognizes Kevin Durant, admiring Simon Biles' performance. “Obviously I had watched gymnastics on TV, but it’s different when you’re there. And just to see her greatness, and the other girls who dedicate so much time to their art, it’s just incredible, to see how great they are.”
“See Simone” was one of “KD's” favorite moments at the Paris Olympics. The Suns winger even sees Simone Biles as an inspiration.
“When people see such potential in you at such a young age, you’re going to get criticized for nothing, and she’s experienced that at the highest level. For her to continue to shine every day and let people know they look crazy for talking about her that way? To be able to do both is inspiring.”
Immortalize the moment
Others like Devin Booker don't want to miss a crumb of this Olympic experience. Thus, the guard documents his life during the Olympics and regularly publishes the films on Instagram since the opening ceremony.
“I have some really good friends who introduced me to cameras my rookie year, and they were like, ‘Yo, carry a camcorder (because) it’s more authentic than an iPhone.’Devin Booker recalls. “It has that old school feel. You have to pay attention, listen more. With an iPhone, the camera is so good. Then we (him and his friends) watch all the videos and cut them out. The camcorder is easy. We just take the coolest moments and mix them together.”
All these films are as many memories kept, like his meeting with Nyjah Huston on a skateboard.
“This experience is unparalleled for me,” he admits. “I was able to participate in other events and meet a lot of other talents. It’s something that I will pass on to future generations. I will send the images from my camera to my children’s children’s children, and I hope they will feel all that.”
