Stephen Curry, last year's Rookie of the Year runner up, sprained his left ankle during an intra-squad scrimmage at practice in Madrid on Wednesday. Curry's injury is the latest among a laundry list of detrimental setbacks that has plagued Team USA heading into the World Basketball Championships this year. David Lee was forced to withdraw from action due to a dislocated finger, Brooke Lopez dropped out after a bout with mononucleosis and A'Mare Stoudemire decided to sit out after the Knicks couldn't provide insurance on his contract if he were to injure himself during competition.
The unfortunate injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the Golden State guard. With the World Basketball Championships set to take place on the 28th, Team USA has just ten days to make its final cut, trimming its 13-man roster to 12. Curry is in a battle for the final guard position with fellow USA teammates, Eric Gordon and Russell Westbrook. Based on his performance in the two preliminary games, it seemed as if Curry was safe from the final cut leaving the decision between Gordon and Westbrook, but this adds a whole new "twist" on the situation.
If Curry is physically unable to perform at his highest competitive level, Coach K and Jerry Colangelo will have no choice but to send the budding youngster back to the States. The former Davidson standout had an impressive showing at the World Basketball Festival in NYC. His ball handling skills have become extremely fluid and effective, he has added ten pounds of muscle to his lanky frame and his genetic jump shot has been something of an art form, reminiscent of his father, ex-NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry.
The one positive of this entire debacle is the fact that Team USA will not make its final cut until 48 hours before its first game in Turkey. With the proper rest and therapy, it seems extremely possible for Curry to be physically ready for the WBC.
If I had to assume that one of the aforementioned three players was to be cut, I would assume it to be Gordon. He is the one guy that seems to fall in between Westbrook and Curry as far as skills are concerned. Westbrook is a much more physical guard who can create shots for others, although he has his days where he looks like he couldn't throw a ball in the ocean. As for Curry, his shooting ability is far superior to that of the other two guards which leads me to believe that if he can run on that ankle, he will be part of Team USA along with Westbrook, leaving Gordon as the odd man out.
This is one of the very few times I can honestly say I'm happy not to be in Coach K's shoes.
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