May 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry accepts the MVP trophy from Tim Chaney of Kia Motors at the Oakland Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen Curry should be used to this by now.
Once considered too skinny and frail to carry any type of team, Curry has transcended his game into one of the premier talents in all of sports. That evolution reached new heights this season with a new coaching staff, teammates and a revamped Warriors team that has since won 67 regular season games and is the favorite to win the NBA title.
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Curry is no stranger to interviews, huge crowds or press conferences, but what took place at the Oakland Convention Center on Monday was something he wasn’t envisioning as he laced up his shoes for the first time this season. The Akron born Curry was raised in an NBA life, but there’s no denying that his own achievements are on an entirely different level.
“Faith, passion, drive and will,” said Curry, the former Davidson Wildcat and now, officially, the Most Valuable Player of the NBA.
May 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry with the 2014-2015 NBA MVP Trophy Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Curry is never one to boast. No matter what he does on the court, Curry’s proven time and time again that not only is he an incredible talent, but the person exceeds anything he can do on the hardwood. The award he accepted on Monday – as his team sits with a 1-0 series lead over the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference semifinals – is much more about the person than the player.
“I wanted to win it just knowing how we played this year as a team,” said Curry following speeches from General Manager Bob Myers, head coach Steve Kerr and the man himself. “Everybody was saying that because I had a good team and teammates that may hurt my MVP case. If that was the case I wouldn’t want the award.”
That’s the greatness of Curry personified. His own talents are evident, but it’s how he has grown as a leader, son and father that have paved the way for all the success he deserves now. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” isn’t just a bible verse written on his shoes. It’s a mantra.
Curry thanked everyone he could remember, starting with his wife, Ayesha and ending the proceedings by going through each one of his teammates. Stories were told in between, such as why his brother, Seth, would bring the ball inside their house if he thought his older brother was fouling in a game of 1-on-1.
With the charm and subtleness fans and viewers have grown to love over the years, Curry wasn’t shy in describing the importance of family, coaches and teammates played in leading up to this moment. “You’re the biggest shooting guard in the league,” he said of Marreese Speights, who shared the familiar smirk he’s known for.
“He was the example for me and I had it in my house,” said Curry of his father, Dell. “Most people that love basketball turn on the TV, read news articles, read magazines, have posters on the wall of people they look up to in the league and they aspire to be like. I was fortunate enough to have one in my house.
May 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr smile before Curry receives MVP award. Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
“There’s so many lessons he taught me, really since high school. It hasn’t been so much Xs and Os in basketball but how you handle yourself on and off the court, how you treat people, all those little details that separate the good from the great. I’m appreciative of everything and making it hard on me growing up with the pressure and expectations. It was special.”
The word special has been used a lot around the Golden State Warriors this season. With a playoff game tomorrow, Curry never downplayed the real goal: an NBA championship. Even with the lights, cameras and hundreds of witnesses here for his award, Curry was focused on the success of what his teammates could accomplish.
The award he now has pales in comparison to the other trophy he could be holding in June. Monday marked history, the history that Steph Curry and everyone involved in the process is proud of. His career is far from over, and given the numerous milestones gained this season alone, who’s to say he won’t have more days like Monday.
“Make sure you live in the moment and work your butt off every single day,” said Curry. “I hope I inspire people all round the world to just be themselves, be humble and be grateful for all the blessings in your life. I’m truly honored to be your MVP this year.”
The honor is all ours.