It was just recently that fans thrashed a popular podcaster and former Warriors star for his brazen take on Team USA’s starting lineup. As per the ex-NBA champion, Steve Kerr should go for a big-ball lineup, because for one, they have the depth and versatile players to deliver in the positions assigned to them.

Now here’s where it gets interesting – the ideal lineup obviously did not feature Stephen Curry.

Some of you might have gotten an idea of who this mysterious and right about now, regarded as an insolent face, is. But for those still racking their brain, it’s none other than ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson. The former Arizona product revealed this in his recent appearance on ‘NBA on ESPN’. And to say the least, a lot of people took offense to it.

Apparently, it includes his colleague and NBA insider, Ramona Shelburne. Joining Malika Andrews on ‘NBA Today,’ Shelburne took a dig at Richard via Kendrick Perkins, who was also in the show. After Perk said his piece on how well Team USA performed against Serbia, despite Kevin Durant not being there, the 44-year-old took over. “Your best buddy Richard Jefferson was suggesting that Steph Curry should come off the bench maybe and they should go with this all-big lineup. Did you see what Steph Curry did today?“

“Steph Curry had six three-pointers, 24 points and he stretches the floor and creates so much space. Even when they guarded him, they can’t guard him right. Even when they’re fouling him, they can’t stop him from making those threes. You create so much space with him out there. I know they’re missing Durant, yes offensively the experience. But when Steph is hitting shots like this, they are unstoppable offensively, because now all the guys that drive to the hoop have so much space. I think he’s been a difference-maker.“

Well, it seems like it wasn’t a simple coincidence, either.

Stephen Curry setting the tone against Serbia was “by design,” LeBron James revealed

A slower start and a slower finish. It so happens to be the theme of Team USA on international stages before they take off and return home with a shining gold medal! It wasn’t much different this time around, either. But many hoped there would be a change in the script with the kind of depth this year’s Avengers team featured. More so with the addition of an ace card – Stephen Curry.

Yet, the Curry we witnessed in the first two exhibition matches was unfamiliar to us. The ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ was relatively quiet on the offensive end during their barely there wins. But ‘Chef Curry’ was up and cooking against Nikola ‘Joker’ Jokic and Serbia in their third round of the Showcase. And per Bron, it was exactly what they planned.

“We drew it up for that particular reason, to get him going. He sees one go through the hoop. You see what it opens up for the rest of his game, for the rest of the game for all of us. He set the tone,” James said, giving flowers to the Olympic debutant. Exactly the point that Ramona Shelburne made!

Fans witnessed yet another shuffle in the lineup when going against Team Serbia. Of course, LeBron, Steph, and Joel Embiid remained where they were. While Jayson Tatum remained a starter for the second time, Kerr upgraded Jrue Holiday in place of Anthony Edwards. That’s not to say the reserves were in any way behind.

In fact, it was the second time, straight, that Team USA reserves turned the tide in their favor. By the end of the first half, the group involving Edwards, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton, Bam Adebayo, and Devin Booker accounted for 28 points off the bench. Anyway, it was surely a thrilling match to watch.

Team USA will now make the journey to London for the remaining two matches. Their first opponent will be South Sudan, followed by Germany, as the games are scheduled to tip off at 3:00 PM ET.