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An Open Letter to Stephen Curry

By Carlos Murillo

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Dear Stephen,

A little over six years ago, I sat in front of my television in my Warriors gear. The draft was one of the few things you could actually get excited for as a Dubs fan. I still remember David Stern walking to the podium and announcing that “with the 7th pick in the 2009 Draft, the Golden State Warriors select Stephen Curry from Davidson College.” We got him I thought.

Thank you, Steph. I can’t say that enough. It’s been an honor to watch you grow from a baby-faced rookie to a…baby-faced champion. You’re no longer a well-kept secret weapon, you’re the biggest superstar in the league. There’s no other athlete in the NBA who is as loved as passionately by his home fan base as you are. A killer basketball player on the court and a respectable man off it, you’ve captured the hearts of fans. What makes you truly special isn’t just what you’ve done, it’s how you’ve done it.

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I remember the excitement of watching you step onto that Oracle Arena floor for the first time. We might have actually gotten the right guy this time. And every night during that rookie campaign, you convinced us of that just a little more. Who could forget the Chris Anderson play which I tried on my friends the next day? Or the David Lee incident? Or your triple double? You made it worth tuning in.

But then there came a time where it seemed like you might never be the star we thought you could be (which was nowhere near the level you’ve actually reached). Every night we all held our breath, hoping that your ankles would hold up. More often than not, then didn’t and it was heartbreaking. Any mention of Steph Curry was always followed by “if only…”

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Then Monta Ellis was traded away, effectively handing the keys to the franchise over to you. It was exciting, but scary. But you took the reigns and never looked back. We watched you go out there every night and do something special, but the rest of the world hadn’t caught on yet. Not until that night in the Garden. Truly a breakout performance, the league started to take notice that there was something special happening in Golden State.

The last three years have been a blast to watch. We’ve seen your game grow and your stardom grow with it. From an up-and-coming All-Star snub to leading vote getter, you’ve become the premier point guard in the league. Every season you came back better, making us more excited about what kind of player you could be. And then you gave us that magic season last year, winning MVP and the title producing highlights every night.

For that, thank you.

Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after a three point basket forced the game into overtime in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-119 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

I really can’t say thank you enough, Steph. Watching you grow into the player and, more importantly, the man you are today has been an honor. It’s an experience watching a master at work. It’s bigger than just basketball, it’s a bonding experience. No matter what happens during the day, my family and I get together every night to watch you put on a show. Basketball is art and your electrifying play and sincere personality are brushstrokes that bring people together.

We always knew you’d be great, but I don’t know if anyone could have predicted this. You’re single-handedly changing the landscape of the NBA. You’re at the forefront of the NBA’s point guard and three-point shooting revolution. Meanwhile, you’re off-court success is spoiling Warriors fans as we can connect with our favorite star even when there’s no game on.

Fans gravitate towards you because one moment you’re setting the Internet on fire and the next you’re showing a genuine humility.

You’re the people’s star. It’s nice to finally have a superstar that we can call our own. You’re not a freakish athlete or a competitor so consumed with winning that you lose all approachability. For all intents and purposes, you’re a normal person. Fans gravitate towards you because one moment you’re setting the Internet on fire and the next you’re showing a genuine humility. You have a beautiful family–that we’ve all accepted as extensions of our own–and a strong faith that drives you.

In addition to your on-court dominance, it’s your off-court endeavors that have elevated you to the elite. What’s most admirable is that none of it has changed you. You’ve stayed true to yourself over the incredible ride that the last year has been. For example, your partnership with Under Armour makes complete sense. Nearly irrelevant in the basketball world just a few years ago, you’ve made it cool to wear that brand. You’ve taken an underdog brand to the top with you.

I recently bought a sweater from Express. I had no intention of shopping that day, but I bought it because I saw you wearing it in a poster right in the window. Maybe that’s a bit excessive, but you get the idea. That’s how much Warriors fans love you. We’ll wear your shoes or your sweaters or whatever it is you’re apart of. Because we want to show the world that we have the most special player in the player in the league right here.

May 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry with the 2014-2015 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy at the Oakland Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Your stardom has taken you into that rarefied air of athletes that crossover into popular culture. From talk shows to meetings with the President to song lyrics, you’re everywhere. And Warriors fans eat it up. We love seeing our leader out there for everyone to see because we’re proud of what you’ve done and who you are. We understand that hard work and perseverance it took to get to this position. You weren’t gifted anything much like die-hard Warriors fans weren’t either–we all had to power through the low points to get to this spot together.

At the end of the day, this is just a game you play that we watch. There are certain things that are more important, that stars sometimes forget. You, on the other hand, understand the magnitude of your platform and use it for others. Your “Nothing But Nets” campaign is a terrific project that, with your on-court success, has surely helped lives. You put your family and faith in the forefront, giving fans a healthy glimpse into your life and who you are.

Once again, thank you, Steph. For making Warriors fans feel a joy that made the 40 year wait somehow worth it. Every mistake the franchise made seems justified when you look back and realize that Stephen Curry fell to us with the 7th pick. For making Steph Curry fans proud of everything you’ve earned. Even though your dad, Dell Curry, and your agent didn’t want you to be a Warrior, thanks for remaining a true professional.

Thank you for influencing the next generation of fans while enchanting the previous ones. You’re the standard bearer now. In the age of social media, your the most Vine-able player in the league. Thank you for staying true to yourself. Thank you for using your platform to bring unadulterated joy to those lucky enough to watch you. Thanks being named “Wardell” because that’s really fun to say–though I suppose that’s more suited to be directed towards your father.

Thank you for bringing the first championship back to the Bay Area in over 40 years. Thank you for splashing threes at will. Thank you for dropping defenders. Thank you for being the league’s Most Valuable Player and the league’s most un-guardable one too. Congratulations on everything you’ve earned, you deserve it.

Go get yourself some more hardware, champ.

Sincerely, Warriors fans everywhere.

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