We love our sport here in America. Especially the Big Three in football, basketball and baseball. What we like the most is Superstar Great athletes who usually feel like they are larger than life characters. LeBron James, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers (Editor’s note: Maybe not his conspiracy theories), Aaron Judge, etc.
While all of these players are seen as all-time greats in their sport, they don’t always appear to be the most relatable people. One of the NBA players to do this will be Stephen Curry and a superstar, who just hosted the ESPYs. He’s not the biggest and has never been the fastest or most athletic, but because of the way he controls the game that rewards height, Curry is perhaps the most athletic superstar of this generation.
Steve and the family were out celebrating Riley Curry’s 10th birthday and got caught playing Connect 4 collars. In the video, you can clearly see how much fun the Karies have in each other’s company, although it looks like Steve might have taken the L.
I’m not saying that other professional athletes don’t go out and have fun with their families, but it feels different with Curry. And that’s an extension of how different it can be when he’s on the field. Steph does things in the NBA that we haven’t seen many young guards accomplish.
You’re hating if you don’t think he’s the best guard under 6-foot-3 in NBA history. That’s where his relatability comes into play. For him to do what he’s been able to do in a league where the average height is 6-foot-6 is remarkable. Take this Top 10 NBA players of all-time debate we heard so much about during the Warriors’ run to another title. Let’s leave Curry out of the conversation for a second.
In most people’s Top 10, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant (if you include him) are the smallest players on the list. Both were listed as 6-foot-6 when they played. Curry is at least three inches shorter and quite a few pounds lighter. I know Steph plays in a less physical era, but basketball will always cater to those with extraordinary height.
Compared to the average person Curry seems tall. But on the NBA court, he is usually one of the smallest on the floor, if not the smallest. And that’s where people, especially kids, feel they can realistically mimic Curry’s actions.
Gatorade had folks thinking they could be like Mike back in the 90s. But once you sat down and watched him play for a quarter, you realized you couldn’t be anything like Mike on the court. Unless you were Bryant or Vince Carter. Kobe is still the closest thing we’ve seen to Jordan, and Carter is only the best dunker of all time. That’s in-game, during warmups or dunk contests. I’ll debate anyone on that.
Most humans aren’t blessed with size and skill like Jordan or Kobe. And even most who have the height lack the talent and ability. But most of us can work on our jump shot, develop our handles and commit to a certain level of work ethic. That said, it doesn’t mean you’ll become Steph Curry, but his way feels more attainable.
Look at all these kids coming into the NBA over the last couple of years. Sure, many of them have the height to play the game but look at the style they’re playing. Everyone is shooting threes from the parking lot. Take a 19-year-old player Drafted To the NBA today, which was about 12 years old, no matter what his size, when the Curry Warriors won their first championship in 2015. So, this kid went to middle and high school and he wants to be like Steve, not Mike.
Carrie seems to never sweat anything. It looks like he’s leaving it all behind go ahead his back. Through all the Kevin Durant drama and talk of Steph not being the best player, you’ve never seen him interact in public. He won his rings and went about business as usual. Durant left, and the Warriors fell mainly due to injuries, most of whom said they were done.
So, how did Curry respond to his critics? He went out and ball in 2021-22, and led the Warriors back to the NBA Finals, and won the title number. 4. Sure, he got some shit off his chest after the win, but he earned it. Curry comes as a regular. He has his own aura, but it is different from that of Jordan or James. They feel larger than life and almost like a dream. Carrie feels closer to real life and doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously.
