Steph Curry says there’s one way Team USA could find itself in danger of losing games during the Olympics and that’s if they don’t stick to their own style of play.

Curry’s comments came in the wake of the U.S. only managing to beat South Sudan by one point on Saturday night.

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball,” Curry said after a LeBron James layup resulted in Team USA avoiding a historic upset, instead holding on for a 101-100 victory.

“And our brand of basketball is playing defense. We didn’t make them uncomfortable at all the first half and they took advantage of it. But we also learned we have that gear if we can find it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes and it’s a great reminder of both.”

The loss would have been especially stunning considering South Sudan is the world’s youngest country and has never played Olympic basketball in the past.

Team USA coach Steve Kerr took responsibility for the near-upset.

“I did not do a great job preparing our team, I think we did not focus enough on what they’re capable of and that’s on me,” Kerr said.

“They played a wonderful game and the ending was good for us just to feel that. To feel what it’s going to be like in Paris and Lille … a good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives and we have to expect everyone to play like that.”

The U.S. and South Sudan will meet again during the group stage of the Olympics on July 31 at 3pm ET.

NBA Insider Reveals Which Young Warriors Star Would Be Traded for Lauri Markkanen

If the Warriors are serious about acquiring Lauri Markkanen from the Jazz, the franchise will have to give up either Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga.

There is a “growing belief leaguewide” that the Warriors are more willing to move Kuminga than Podziemski, longtime NBA insider Marc Stein said in his Substack.

He also went on to share his thoughts about each of the young star’s current contracts.

“Beyond how highly Golden State rates the 21-year-old and his all-around game, Podziemski also has three seasons left on his rookie contract worth nearly $13 million as the No. 19 overall pick in June 2023,” Stein wrote. “Kuminga, meanwhile, is immediately eligible for a lucrative contract extension between now and Oct. 21 as the No. 7 overall pick from a 2021 draft class that has already seen Detroit [Pistons’] Cade Cunningham, Cleveland [Cavaliers’] Evan Mobley, Toronto [Raptors’] Scottie Barnes and Orlando [Magic’s] Franz Wagner land extensions that far exceed $200 million.”

Podziemski’s contract also runs concurrently with the massive contracts of Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, Stein says.

Plus, his ability to slot in beside Steph Curry means he is a complete asset to the team.

“Podziemski has quickly proven to be a high-level complement to face of the franchise Stephen Curry and isn’t eligible for a massive raise until after the current contracts held by Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins expire in the summer of 2027,” Stein said. “That’s a key consideration for Golden State in the NBA’s new world of luxury tax aprons.”

“Podz” has made quite an impact on the Golden State franchise in his short time there and is “beloved organizationally,” according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.

In saying that, it iwas reported that the Warriors weren’t willing to include Kuminga in trade talks for Paul George in recent months, so they clearly value the young talent.

It looks as though the Warriors may have to choose between winning now or giving up some of their rising young assets in order to succeed.

Because it’s unlikely they’ll be able to do both.