The United States men's basketball team has been off to a solid start in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but one player's struggles have been hard to ignore. Stephen Curry, widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history, has been struggling to find his rhythm on the court. In the Americans' recent victory over South Sudan, Curry finished the game with a disappointing 1 for 9 shooting performance, missing all six of his 3-point attempts.

This shooting slump extends beyond just one game for Curry. Looking back at Team USA's final two exhibition games and the first two games of the Olympic tournament, Curry has gone 13 for 40 in his last four outings. His success rate from beyond the arc has been even more concerning, as he has missed 22 out of his 29 3-point attempts. Among the players who have received significant minutes in both games, Curry has been the least effective player on the United States team.

While some may argue that it is just a small sample size, it is crucial to remember that this tournament does not allow much time for players to find their rhythm. After their final group-stage matchup against Puerto Rico, the Americans will be entering the knockout rounds where a single loss can jeopardize their gold medal hopes. As a result, head coach Steve Kerr may face the dilemma of considering a change in the starting lineup and potentially reducing Curry's overall minutes.

Certainly, there is a possibility that Curry could have a breakthrough performance against Puerto Rico and carry that momentum into the later stages of the tournament. However, if his shooting struggles persist, Kerr might be forced to detach from their shared history and make tough decisions regarding Curry's role in the team. This could potentially mean removing Curry from the starting lineup or significantly reducing his playing time.

In defense of Kerr's potential decision, it is important to recognize that this is not the NBA where Curry is the focal point of the offense. With Team USA, he receives fewer opportunities to find his rhythm and faces increased pressure with limited shot attempts per game. Pressure can affect even the most confident players, and Curry is no exception. It is reasonable to question how likely it is for him to quickly snap out of this shooting slump given these circumstances.

Curry's shooting struggles become even more significant when considering his defensive limitations. With his offensive contributions limited to shooting, his defensive shortcomings and the potential for opposing teams to adjust their defensive strategies against him could be detrimental to the team's overall success.

While Kerr undoubtedly wants to give Curry every opportunity to turn things around, the clock is ticking. If the coach remains true to his statement that NBA status does not matter in the context of the Olympics, and prioritizes fielding the best player for every minute of every game, Kerr may ultimately be left with no choice but to make difficult decisions regarding Curry's role on the team.

As the Paris Olympics progress, all eyes will be on Stephen Curry and his ability to regain his shooting prowess. The Americans will be counting on him to deliver his trademark electrifying performances. However, if he fails to find his rhythm, Team USA may have to look to other options to secure their gold medal aspirations.