Tag: forces

Steph Curry, LeBron ‘excited’ to join forces for Paris Olympics

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FILE–LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors headline Team USA’s Paris Olympics team. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP 

NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry are “excited” by the prospect of joining forces as the United States chases a fifth straight gold medal at next month’s Olympics, USA coach Steve Kerr said Thursday.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar James and Golden State Warriors ace Curry will finally line up in Team USA for the first time in Paris after facing off against each other in 52 games during a 15-year rivalry in the NBA.

USA and Golden State coach Kerr said Thursday the two basketball icons were relishing the prospect of teaming up.

READ: LeBron, Durant, Steph Curry lead Team USA for Paris Olympics

“LeBron and Steph are really excited to play together,” Kerr said. “I’ve talked to both of them about this idea of being together after going against one another with such high stakes over the years.

“They obviously fit really well together. I think the idea of Steph playing off the ball and LeBron pushing it in transition, that’s pretty intriguing.”

Curry has a 29-23 winning record against LeBron in the NBA, with a 17-11 record in playoff meetings.

Last season, the duo featured in one of the games of the year, combining for 82 points in a double-overtime thriller which saw the Lakers narrowly defeat Golden State 145-144.

READ: Team USA has to ‘come to play’ in Paris Olympics, says Carmelo

“It’s something I’ll be able to talk about with my grandkids, about being able to compete with one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” LeBron said of Curry after that instant classic.

Kerr said Curry and Lebron will aim to gel over the course of a training camp which begins in Las Vegas next week before a warm-up game against Canada on July 10.

The USA squad also has pre-Olympic games in Abu Dhabi and London before their opening group game of the Olympics against Serbia on July 28 in Lille.

“They’re really excited to compete together for the first time and to find over the course of the practices and the friendlies some of the nuances that they can really exploit and explore, to just to see where they can have an impact for each other,” Kerr said.

James and Curry are part of one of the most powerful USA teams ever to take part in the Olympics, with a roster that also includes the likes of Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid.

“Our roster is obviously laden with stars and players who have accomplished so much,” Kerr said. “And what I love about these guys is they want to accomplish more.



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“They want to win an Olympic gold medal, and that’s why they all signed up for this.”

UAAP: Topex Robinson, Jacob Cortez excited to join forces at La Salle

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La Salle coach Topex Robinson and Former San Beda Red Lion Jacob Cortez during the Collegiate Press Corps awards night. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle coach Topex Robinson was given several reasons to smile from ear-to-ear at the 2024 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night at Discovery Suites in Ortigas on Monday.

Robinson took home the UAAP Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year award while also gaining the recognition of Kevin Quiambao as the Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.

Former San Beda Red Lion Jacob Cortez was also awarded as one of the members of the Men’s Basketball Mythical Five and even that made Robinson ecstatic.

Just a year from now, Robinson and the Green Archers will enjoy the services of Cortez in the Green Archers’ lineup after he switched ships from Mendiola to Taft a few months ago.

READ: After moving ‘mountains,’ Topex brings Jacob Cortez home to La Salle

“It’s so exciting to have him. He’s really going to put our program on a higher note. Having him here, I’m excited especially for next year,” said Robinson.

La Salle, the defending champions of the UAAP, will not have the talents of Cortez right away for Season 87. The NCAA Season 99 champion will have to serve one residency year before suiting up in the UAAP.

So far, though, Cortez has been “easing in” with La Salle.

“I’ve been, I’d say, sort of easing in. It’s a new team, new set of coaches, new staff and teammates for me but so far it’s been really chill. It’s been easy so far but then again I’ll have more time with them [before playing],” said Cortez.

READ: Pressure is key for La Salle’s improvement, says Topex Robinson

In his final year with the Red Lions, Cortez posted norms of 15.39 points, 3.56 rebounds, 3.44 assists and 1.17 steals per game.

He was also instrumental in helping San Beda overcome all odds as the third seed with a 12-6 card.

Now, he can’t wait to do the same or even better in a school that he holds sentimental with the memory of his father Mike playing in the 2000s.



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“It feels good because even before high school, my dad would bring me to La Salle UAAP games and now I’ve won my first championship with them in PinoyLiga. After that I just felt the excitement to play in the UAAP,” bared Cortez.