It's not always a given that the son of an NBA player will walk in their father's high tops. It helps to be around the game, to have a father who understands it on the most fundamental level, and to have access to some of the best players in the world, but none of those things guarantees an NBA career. When Dell Curry's son Stephen showed an interest in the game, most people paid him little attention. A skinny North Carolina kid without much height (6'0", 160 when he graduated from high school), Curry couldn't even get an invite from any of his surrounding ACC schools. Underrated and underestimated, Curry went to Davidson, where he put a small school on the map with three years of impeccable play . . .and a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight.
"I think it was inspiring to me," Curry says of the experience. "I had doubters my whole life, people saying I was too small and all this other stuff, so it fuels me to work harder. It's not that I feel like I have to prove people wrong, because I have a lot of self-confidence and always have, it just helps with my motivation and making sure I make the most of every opportunity. Only the really talented guys get to play this game, and I know I have to work to be here."
Now basically a month into his rookie season with the NBA's Golden State Warriors, Curry is finding that his experience at Davidson helped prepare him for the task at hand in the NBA.
"I think the amount of media attention that we gained at Davidson during my three years there helped prepare me for the NBA level. We had to compete with those big-time schools like Carolina and Duke, and once we got on the map my sophomore year people talked about us as much as they talked about the other schools. I think the amount of attention we got, the number of people coming to our games, the pressure of everybody marking us on their calendar was definitely great preparation for playing on the NBA level."
Injuries have been a major issue for the Warriors, but they have also provided opportunities for young players like Curry to play bigger roles right away than they might otherwise have played. Curry's making the most of it, averaging 11.2 points and 6.2 assists in ten starts this season. Injuries might take away some of the pressure to win, but the pressure of playing well early and proving himself keeps Curry focused.
"I wouldn't say there's less pressure on us. I'd say it doesn't really matter what the situation is, you have to come in ready to work, whether it's a practice or a game, no matter how many minutes you get. It's an opportunity for us to maybe get out there and make some mistakes and play through them instead of sitting on the bench and learning about it. I think the trade (of Stephen Jackson) might have added even a little more pressure for us young guys because we're getting the bulk of these minutes and having to try to get our team back to a high level of competition, and that's tough to do."
So far, the coaching staff is pleased with what Curry's brought to the table. He has work to do, of course, but he's probing he can compete at a high level.
"So far he's learning and still has to adjust to the NBA," says Warriors coach Keith Smart. "Teamwise he's fine, but learning and adjusting to the NBA personnel - you can see those guys on tape and see their information on paper, but until you get a chance to actually play against those guys in person and get a better understanding of who they are, that's always going to be tricky for a young player. No matter how good a young player may become, he's still going to have problems the first time through the league. Steph has a huge basketball IQ, understands how to play, and teams know that he can shoot, so he doesn't have the open looks he had in college. Unlike in college, where you move the ball around four or five times, in the NBA you've got to take the first open shot because defense will react. He has to get over being a two-, three-, four-pass player to where he takes advantage of open shots when he gets them."
Leading up to the 2009 NBA Draft there were questions about whether or not Curry could lead an NBA team at the point guard position . . .and he's perceived as too small to play the two, though that seems to be a position that's in flux in the modern NBA. Quickness is now at a premium, and Curry's speed and court vision have already gained him the respect of opposing players and coaches.
"He's a perfect player for their system, a great shooter and exceptionally good ball-handler and playmaker," says Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. "From what we see of him, he certainly can play the point guard position with no problem and he's a great shooter. He just has a real good feel for both aspects of the game, the scoring side and the playmaking side. We saw him in summer league in person, where he had two or three 35 or 40-point games and he's going to get a lot of touches, particularly with the Jackson trade. He's a dynamic player, and a threat to score from anywhere inside the hash mark."
"He comes from a family that knows how to play," adds Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd. "We all know his dad could shoot the ball extremely well, but I think for him his passing is key. He's not one-dimensional. He can shoot it with the best of them, but he looks to get other guys involved and he's had a great rookie season so far."
High praise from one of the best floor generals in the history of the game . . .and Curry admits that being among the stars he admired as a kid gets him a little bit star struck sometimes.
"This first go 'round of playing all the All-Stars and future Hall of Famers you have that feeling a little bit when I'm walking by them before shootaround and stuff like that. Once the game starts, though, I just see the number on their jersey and who they are doesn't really creep into my mind while we're playing. It's definitely cool to play against the guys I've looked up to, watched on TV growing up, watched while my dad was playing, and it's fun to get out there and compete with them."
It hasn't been an easy first month for Curry and the Warriors, with trade demands being made, injuries all around, and plenty of negative press flowing around the team. Fortunately, Curry's been able to keep it somewhat in perspective thanks to a veteran who also played a little ball in North Carolina.
"Corey Maggette," Curry says of how he's survived the early drama. "He's really helped me keep my head straight through all of the turmoil the team's gone through and through our ups and downs. He helps make sure I come in every day and focus and have tunnel vision with all of that going on and make sure I just focus on getting better. He's really helped me get through this first month. ... It's hard when all you hear when people talk about your team is negatives. It's tough to keep your mind clear. You have to tell yourself that you know what's really going on because you're inside the ropes of the team and you know what to expect every day and how to handle it. I think if you remind yourself of that every day you can get through it."
So far, Curry's doing more than just getting through it, he's proving to be one of the best young players in the 2009 rookie class. Undersized and underestimated after high school, Curry took a small, basically unknown college to the NCAA Championship game . . .the Golden State Warriors are hoping he's the key to helping their franchise get back to the NBA's version of the same.
Scared Of New York???
Leave it to Ron Artest to miss the point.
Talking about the celebrated free agency class of 2010 and the New York Knicks' overstated desire to lure one or more members of the class to town, L.A. Lakers forward Ron Artest told Frank Isola of the New York Daily News that he feels people are afraid of the pressure of winning in NY.
"I think people need to stop being scared and go to New York," Artest said Tuesday. "They're scared. They're so scared of the pressure and the media. I'm like, pardon my language, but I'm like, --- the media and --- everybody that's putting pressure on you. That's how I would take that.
"That's why I went to St. John's," Artest continued. "People were like, 'Don't go to St. John's because you don't need the distractions.' I was like, 'I'm going here because I want to go here.' If I wanted to play for the Knicks, I would play because I wanted to play and I wouldn't feel no pressure from anybody."
Scared? Scared to go to NY? Rather than point out the first obvious flaw in Artest's logic - that he, himself, didn't go to New York - let's talk about why free agents are going to be hesitant to sign with the Knicks next summer. Simply stated, the Knicks have not established a culture of winning. They have terrible chemistry, their long-term pieces are young and inexperienced, and anyone who signs in New York is going to be labeled the savior for a dying team. There aren't many players who would relish that kind of . . ummm . . .opportunity (?).
The Knicks have made this a throw-away season, making moves designed to give them cap space instead of trying to be competitive. The sad reality is that in so doing, they've likely sabotaged any chance they had of getting someone like LeBron James to come to town. It's not about the money or being scared of the pressure of playing in New York . . .it's about wanting to be a part of a winning program. The Knicks are just about as far away from that as any team in the league has ever been.
So Ron . . .you first!
First Look At Tonight's Action
L.A. Clippers @ Indiana Pacers: Few players are playing better than Indy's Danny Granger, but it's not translating into wins right now. The Pacers' blow-out loss to Toronto last night was their fourth in a row. The Clippers have actually won two straight coming in, and would love to build upon that small success. Eric Gordon is expected to return for the Clips, and while Mike Dunleavy, Jr. is expected back soon, the Pacers have him listed as "doubtful" for tonight's game.
Toronto Raptors @ Charlotte Bobcats: Stephen Jackson brought the scoring the Bobcats expected when they traded for him, but the wins haven't followed so far. Charlotte did win their last game, the first win with Jackson in the mix, but have a ways to go to get to respectability. The Raptors can reach .500 with a win. Tyson Chandler (back) and Ray Felton (foot) are banged up, but listed as "probable" for Charlotte. No new injuries for the Raptors.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics: The Sixers staged a fierce comeback last night but still came up one point short against the Washington Wizards. It doesn't get any easier tonight with the 10-4 Celtics playing host. No new injuries to report for this one.
Miami HEAT @ Orlando Magic: The Florida civil war game is always a fun time, with Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard leading their clubs against each other. Even without Jameer Nelson the Magic have won five straight games and sit atop the Eastern Conference, while Miami sits in 6th with an 8-5 record. No new injuries to report.
Milwaukee Bucks @ New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets have been buzzing since GM Jeff Bower took over the coaching duties, with Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton playing as well together now as they did in summer league. The Bucks are looking to rebound from a thumping in San Antonio, but are off to a good start at 8-4. No new injuries to report for either side.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Detroit Pistons: Playing without Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, the Pistons have lost five games in a row and have sunk to the Eastern Conference's lower regions. Meanwhile, with or without Shaquille O'Neal, the Cavs continue their rise towards the top. Shaq is expected to return tonight.
Denver Nuggets @ Minnesota Timberwolves: The Nuggets continue to roll, having polished off the New Jersey Nets last night; Minnesota needs a win any way they can get it, having just one to their credit so far this season. The Nuggets are injury-free, while Minny continues to play without Kevin Love.
Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets: The Golden State Warriors gave their NBA friends a blueprint for how to beat Dallas last night, which is by putting two quick guards in the backcourt and letting them fly by Jason Kidd to either score easily or kick out to an open teammate. The Rockets have precisely the personnel to play that game. It will help the Mavs that Shawn Marion will be back in action tonight. Will Tracy McGrady play tonight? Shane Battier (foot) is questionable for Houston.
Golden State Warriors @ San Antonio Spurs: The Warriors have won two in a row while barely dressing enough players to meet the NBA's minimum requirement. Oh, and by the way, it was Portland and Dallas. Can the Warriors take out their third Western Conference playoff team in a row tonight? The Spurs have also won two in a row, and need the win to stay above .500.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns: Mike Conley is coming off the best game of his career, and the Grizzlies will need another night like that if they hope to even be in the game with the run-and-gun Suns tonight. The Suns shouldn't be surprising anyone any more, but the Grizzlies may lack the fire power to stay with Phoenix. No new injuries to report.
New Jersey Nets @ Portland Trail Blazers: The Nets are still looking for their first win of the season, and the Blazers aren't likely to lend them a helping hand. Portland has won two in a row and they're 11-5 on the season. The Nets are gradually getting healthy, but they're not there yet, and even at 100% they'd have a tough job beating Portland at home.
New York Knicks @ Sacramento Kings: The Knicks continue to slog through one of their worst seasons as a franchise, with their latest loss coming in L.A. last night to the Lakers. After a brief impressive run, the Kings have fallen on hard times, too, losing four in a row. In the ho-hum game of the night someone's going to end a losing streak.
NBA Chats!
HOOPSWORLD Senior NBA Writer Tommy Beer bring up the late day chat at 8pm EST. There will be no chats on Thursday as our staff celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday, but we'll return to a full slate of chats on Friday. You can always find the next chat here: Upcoming HOOPSWORLD Chats.
