Curry, Kerr revel in VP Harris’ visit to Team USA’s practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
LAS VEGAS Team USA Mens Basketball welcomed a special guest appearance Tuesday at UNLV following their final training camp practice ahead of their exhibition game against Canada.
Surrounded by Secret Service security members, Vice President Kamala Harris strolled onto the practice court sporting a light-blue suit alongside Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Harris, an Oakland native, went right to Steph Curry for a short hug with a FIBA ball in her right hand. She shook the hands of players and coaches alike, addressed the team and took a group photo where Curry stood beside her.
Curry and Harris had an extended talk to the side after smiling for the cameras.
Vice President Kamala Harris, a Bay Area native and die-hard Warriors fan, met with Steve Kerr, Steph Curry and Team USA today pic.twitter.com/fgApGDm3wT
Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 9, 2024
It was a great reminder of the fact that were playing for our country and Vice President Harris was great, Kerr said. She told the guys how much she admired them and how they really embodied excellence, and the fact that we are going over there to try to win a gold medal for our country.
She said that its a demonstration of our patriotic feeling of being part of something special for our country. I think the guys really listened to every word. It was great.
As a lifelong, die-hard Warriors fan, Tuesday wasnt the first time Harris and Kerr have had the chance to connect. Kerr joked its a shame Harris husband, Doug Emhoff, is a Los Angeles Lakers fan while reveling in Harris basketball knowledge and love for her hometown team.
The only other Warriors representative on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics is Curry, who also has grown a strong relationship with Harris. Kerr and Curry of course had the chance to get to know President Joe Biden and Harris better when the Warriors visited the White House in January 2023.
Ive met her many times, given that shes from Oakland, and weve been fortunate enough to visit the White House when she was there, but also a few trips to California, Kerr said. Ive met her several times. Shes a Warriors fan and she love our team, she loves basketball.
The First Gentleman is a Lakers fan, unfortunately, but well live with that.
Kevin Durant during his three years with the Warriors won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. He also never visited the White House.
The Warriors did not make the trip of what always was an annual honor before former President Donald Trump held office. The team skipped the customary photo op after Durants first title as a Warrior, and opted to instead spend time with former President Barack Obama in January 2019 before Golden States only road game against the Washington Wizards.
It was cool, Durant said of meeting Harris. We know we got her support. Shes been out here working a lot, shes so busy, but she wanted to come out here and check us out. Its an honor. Im glad she was able to come through.
Harris is in Las Vegas at an event that will highlight the stakes of the election for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, according to a statement by the Biden-Harris campaign. She landed around 12:50 p.m. PT and soon after went to Team USA practice.
Miami Heat star big man and member of Team USA Bam Adebayo is a three-time NBA All-Star who has been selected to the All-Defensive Team five times in his seven-year career. But he still is waiting for his first White House visit, and knows Tuesdays surprise is a moment he wont forget.
Being able to have her there and speak to us is a dope moment, Adebayo said. Ill be able to tell my kids kids kids about that.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast