Team USA has gotten off to a 2-0 start in the 2024 Paris Olympics, with LeBron James and Steph Curry leading the charge. However, only one of them has managed to excel. LeBron’s been a better player than Curry.

3 reasons why LeBron James and Steph Curry should not share the floor for Team USA (Images via Getty)

The former has averaged 16.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists, posting a 21.0 EFF (efficiency), while the latter has produced 7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 3.5 apg with a 5.5 EFF (efficiency). This pairing was expected to function better together, considering Curry’s off-ball prowess and LeBron’s playmaking ability.

However, Curry’s no-shows have raised questions about whether the two former rivals are good fits on the floor together. We look at three reasons why the USA should maximize Steph Curry’s impact on the team by not playing him with LeBron James on the court.

3 reasons why Team USA shouldn’t play LeBron James and Steph Curry together

#1) LeBron is the primary ball-handler

LeBron James is the floor general and primary ball-handler for the USA alongside Steph Curry. While we all know Curry is the most lethal player without the ball in his hands because of his gravity, it isn’t like him to play almost an entire game in a role like that.

That impacts his rhythm with the ball in his hands, especially his shooting. In two games, he has made 29.4% of his field goals on an average of 8.4 attempts, including 23.1% from 3 on 6.5 attempts from 3. Meanwhile, James is shooting 63.5% on 11.0 attempts.

2) More leeway to control the pace with non-LeBron unit

Steph Curry could be better off leading a unit by himself, playing as a primary facilitator if not the No. 1 option. Curry looked better off when that happened, especially against South Sudan.

He had more control over the game and the overall pace, which he is used to while playing as the lead on the Warriors. His shots didn’t fall, but he was comfortable alongside non-ball-dominant players like Kevin Durant, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Edwards.

When playing with the starters against South Sudan, Curry nearly played most of the possessions as a decoy, with LeBron creating plays at the elbow or via dribble penetrations. He got the odd shot attempt when the clock was winding down, hindering his efficiency next to LeBron.

3) Steph Curry needs a better defensive-minded lineup around him

Curry is exuding a lot of energy at the Olympics with the physicality he has been dealing with on both ends. While playing as a decoy is his strong suit, being active defensively at the top of the key isn’t.

Without many perimeter defensive players with better foot speed around him, Curry has to accept that challenge while playing in lineups next to LeBron James.

However, if Curry has more defense-first guards like Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, or Derrick White in potential three-guard lineups with potentially Jayson Tatum or Anthony Davis at the four and Bam Adebayo at the five, that will reduce his workload on defense.

Fatigue can lead to his shots falling short on offense, as seen in the past couple of years with the Warriors.