Stephen Curry: From Underdog to Top Dog
The “Baby Faced Assassin”
Stephen Curry has established himself as a superstar in the NBA, loved for both his elite talent and his humble personality. Yet, it’s his often-overlooked edge that drives and elevates Curry. Throughout his whole career, Curry has been the underdog, passed over for someone else with a larger frame and a not-so-“baby face.” Though he’s not an extremely vocal or expressive player, make no mistake: Curry is as fiery as they come.
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Curry has a skill set and basketball IQ unparalleled in the NBA. Though he’s easy-going and laid back, Curry has a killer instinct. There are few things more awe-inspiring than when No. 30 gets that look in his eye. He plays with an edge that few players possess. Curry won’t take “no” for an answer. All through his career, he’s been told he can’t do something and been treated as the underdog and every time Curry lets his play do the talking.
From a young age, Curry faced obstacles that would deter most high school students. His father, former NBA sharpshooter, Dell Curry forced a young Stephen to completely change his shot. Understandably, it took some time getting used to. Curry has said that he remembers going to a basketball camp and having the fellow players looking at him like “what is this guy doing here?” How many 14, 15, 16 year olds would put the time to perfect something that seemed nearly impossible especially when your peers criticized you? Not many, but Curry did.
“The Patron Saint of the underdog, the league’s most unguardable player…”
After mastering his new jump shot in high school, Curry had his eyes set on Division I basketball. Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, the young guard was practically in UNC’s and Duke’s backyards. However, he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Virginia Tech Hokie more than anything. The elder Curry was an All-American and legend at VA Tech. When no major schools called and VA Tech offered him a walk-on opportunity (surely, as a favor to Dell), small Davidson College swooped in and gave Curry a chance. After being slighted by his dream school, his own father’s alma mater, the 6’2 Curry played with a chip bigger than his 163 pound frame.
Finding himself in the underdog role once again, Curry flourished. Determined to be great, in three seasons he provided countless memorable performances, led the Wildcats to two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances including a run to the Elite 8 in his sophomore season, and made every program that passed him up regret their decision. Curry willed his team to victory against all odds.
Heading into the 2009 NBA Draft, there were more questions about Curry. Is he big enough? Can he defend? Is he a point guard or shooting guard? Five teams passed up on him (Minnesota had the fifth and sixth picks, but wound up selecting point guards Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn) and he fell right into the lap of the Golden State Warriors who had the seventh pick. For the Warriors, the pick was a no-brainer, yet, the previous teams didn’t see that.
“I can do all things…”
Curry writes this on his shoes as a reference to a bible verse. But it’s clear that he can do all things. The obstacles Curry has faced in the NBA are enough to break down the average player: constantly criticized, benched for extended periods of time, being a point guard alongside Monta Ellis, a ball-dominant shooting guard, and injuries. Oh, and the injuries.
Yet Curry, determined to be great, persevered. He took the reigns of the team and has shown the world what he can do.
April 28, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry(30) celebrates after making a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 115-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
When the Warriors made the playoffs as the sixth seed two seasons ago, the world told Curry and his team that they didn’t stand a chance. Boy, were they wrong. The star guard countered whatever the Denver Nuggets threw at him and completely took over the series. When the stakes are highest and the doubters are loudest, Curry comes to life and shakes up the basketball world harder than his crossover does defenders.
Stephen Curry is a bonafide superstar; he’s got the talent, the numbers, the support, the endorsements, and the championship aspirations to prove it. Yet despite this, there are still those that doubt it and cast him as the underdog. There are still times where Curry has to prove that he’s the best point guard in the league.
Last week, the Warriors took on the defending champion Spurs and Curry showed why Jamie Foxx called him, “the patron saint of the underdog, the league’s most unguardable player.” After the referees missed a call that he was unhappy with, “Angry Steph” showed up.
He showed that edge that helped him dominate high school, shock the college basketball world, and become an All-Star in the NBA. He scored or assisted on 13 of the Warriors next 15 points to end the quarter, doing it all in extraordinary fashion. After missing a game in Indiana in which the Warriors fell to the Pacers, Curry was determined to get the Warriors right back on track. Going up against All-Star starter John Wall, the Warriors’ star put on a show.
For most of his career, Curry has been the underdog. Critics have said he’s too small, he’s injury prone, he’s too soft, he’s too this, he’s not enough that. Every time, he’s embraced the label, but he’s never accepted it. Because his game is predicated around shooting and flair and his personality is so relaxed and humble, people overlook his killer instinct.
Curry has an edge that’s second-to-none. This edge has elevated him from the underdog in high school to the top dog in the NBA. So next time you hear the nickname “the Baby Faced Assassin,” don’t underestimate the last word.