Golden State Warriors: Splash Brothers Crucial For Team USA

In the group stage of the 2014 FIBA World Cup, it was Team USA’s frontcourt that dominated the headlines. Anthony Davis was a complete two-way monster, Kenneth Faried looked like the best player of USA Basketball and even DeMarcus Cousins was flying under the radar as an efficient contributor in limited minutes. But if the Americans want to take home the gold, they’ll need the help of the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, in the knockout rounds.

The Golden State Warriors are more than familiar with the valuable services the Splash Brothers provide from 3-point territory, but for most of the group phase, Team USA didn’t really need Curry and Thompson to light it up from beyond the arc. Three-point shooting was an area for improvement during that time, but the Americans were mostly able to coast on their superior talent, athleticism and easy transition points.

But now that the competition will get tougher with each passing round of bracket play, the United States will be hoping things like Curry’s 20-point performance against Mexico in the round of 16 become the norm and not the exception. In Team USA’s first elimination game, Curry went full human supernova in the third quarter, single-handedly blowing the game open with a barrage of 3-pointers. He finished with a team-high 20 points and made six of his nine 3-point attempts.

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We all know Curry is a great 3-point marksman, and that his 0-for-5 performance from downtown in Team USA’s opener against Finland would not be indicative of how his FIBA World Cup would go. With the international 3-point line a few feet closer, shots from downtown would be like drinks of water for the Splash Brothers, and since starting 0-for-5 from downtown in the tournament, Curry has made 16 of his 27 attempts.

Still, the Americans posted only the 13th highest 3-point percentage of the 24 teams in the tournament during the group stage. That’s why watching Curry go into full NBA Jam, “HE’S ON FIRE! BOOMSHAKALAKA!” mode was such a welcome sight for Team USA. Though the United States is probably talented enough to get by Mexico — and their next opponent, Slovenia — on pure talent, eventually they’ll need to be able to spread the floor.

I’m talking, of course, about the nearly inevitable USA-Spain gold medal matchup that we seem to be on a collision course for. With Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, the Spanish have the interior strength to play Davis and Faried to a draw at the very least. In order to open things up for their big men, and jumpstart a half-court offense that has relied a little too heavily on post-ups and isolations so far, Team USA will need to spread the floor with 3-point shooting.

Klay Thompson’s importance to Team USA lies on both ends of the floor. (Photo Credit: FIBA photo) /

That’s where Curry and Thompson will need to take on a greater role. Thompson is shooting 40 percent from downtown for the tournament and has made 14 3s. Curry is shooting 50 percent from deep and has made 16. The Splash Brothers have combined for 30 of Team USA’s 44 3-pointers in the tournament. Against a team like Spain, they may be crucial to spread the floor on offense.

Thompson may be crucial for another reason as well, especially against a team like Spain. Although a starting backcourt of Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and James Harden sounds unstoppable on paper offensively, that trio isn’t defending anyone, which means guys like Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon could have a field day with dribble penetration. That would also make life easier for their big men and, because those big men are such elite passers, their 3-point shooters as well.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s been able to give that trio a lot of minutes together because Team USA hasn’t really played anybody yet. But against a team like Spain that’s fully capable of beating the United States, Coach K might want to consider inserting Thompson into the starting lineup for defense and his ability to spread the floor as a 3-point threat.

The Splash Brothers and their 3-point shooting haven’t been needed yet. But as the competition continues to heat up, the Golden State Warriors’ dynamic backcourt duo might have to take on a bigger role for Team USA to take home the gold.

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