Stephen Curry’s Stardom Headed Into Uncharted Territory
Stephen Curry is taking over the National Basketball Association.
There are plenty of good players, great players, All-Stars, and stars in the league, but not everyone can be a superstar.
Curry’s on-court success and off-court endeavors have combined to create this larger-than-life athlete. There’s a very small and exclusive list of real superstars in the NBA (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and possibly a few more) and Curry has now joined them.
Curry has created a brand and he transcends both the region and the sport. Aside from an extremely high level of play, a superstar has been born through his overall impact and influence on the game and fans.
Two years ago, you could go to any gym anywhere and the power of Nike was apparent. While Nike remains the leader in basketball shoes, Curry has put Under Armour on his back and carried it up through the ranks. As the face of Under Armour basketball, Curry has affected how people perceive the brand. The amount of people wearing Under Armour shoes are rising everyday and it can be directly attributed to his star power. In fact, the numbers will surely rise as Curry’s signature shoe, the “Curry One,” comes out in stores in February.
Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) wears his new signature shoe by Under Armour, the “Curry One”, during action against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
“I been Steph Curry with the shot”
If you haven’t heard that line yet, then you’ve been living under a rock. That line, featured in star rapper Drake’s hit song “0 to 100,” has become a pop culture sensation. Take a quick look on Twitter, especially during nationally televised games after Curry knocks down a deep three, and you’ll see countless tweets with that line. In an era where social media dominates, the reference has become borderline iconic amongst both basketball and hip-hop fans. Even his wife, Ayesha Curry, has had some fun with the subsequent “Chef Curry” line:
From commercials to fashion and everything in between, Curry is everywhere. It’s getting harder and harder to find someone who doesn’t recognize Steph Curry and, unless you’re talking to a bitter fan of an opponent, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like Steph Curry. His humble nature is a relief for those tired of seemingly selfish stars like Bryant or James. His story is an inspiring one of perseverance after he was rejected by colleges because he was too small. His strong faith and tight-knit family are heartwarming, his killer attitude on the court awe-inspiring. Curry is special for a variety of reasons.
As he enters into this rarefied air, Warriors fans are trekking into the unknown with Curry. The Warriors have had really good players (Monta Ellis, Jason Richardson), great players (Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond), and legends (Rick Barry, Wilt Chamberlain) yet Curry still separates himself from the pack. Even for Barry, who won a championship, and Chamberlain, who is one of the most dominant players in the history of the sport, Curry’s stardom and legacy are shaping up to be something unprecedented for the franchise. For years, Warriors fans have struggled to get a representative in the All-Star game. Heck, they’ve yearned for a player that even scratches the surface of the elite. For a fan base as passionate as the one in the Bay Area, there was never a true superstar to rally around.
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A player can’t become a superstar on his own, though, and Warriors fans have answered the call. Last year, Curry earned his first All-Star start and he’s on his way again this year. In fact, no one has more votes than James. Furthermore, Curry’s jersey sales are second only to James again. In fact, Curry is no longer just a Warrior favorite, but also a league-wide one.
In a region with champions and tradition-rich franchises, Curry stands above them as the brightest star of them all. He has catapulted to the top quicker than his release on his jump shot and Warriors fans will carry him even further. He is a true superstar with MVP credentials and a recognizable brand.
The NBA has become Stephen Curry’s playground.