Pact will allow Curry to help community
WALNUT CREEK, CALIF. —A rich new contract in hand, Stephen Curry is more determined than ever to give back both his time and financial resources wherever needed in the Bay Area.
The Golden State Warriors superstar has yet to even make a major purchase for himself since finalizing the $201-million US, five-year contract in July. While on vacation last month in the Turks and Caicos the day his new deal became official, he did have a little fun flying his drone over the hotel to get some special photos.
Going on two months after winning another National Basketball Association title, the 29-yearold said he wants to use his money and position to “leave a lasting impact” and “to make things happen.”
This week, the two-time NBA MVP is hosting his fourth annual SC30 Select Camp with about two dozen high school players, including a showcase event Tuesday night at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco. He dazzled the prospects with his shooting routine, provided coaching and even took part in some three-on-three right along with the campers.
Curry said not much surprises him anymore when it comes to NBA drama, such as Cleveland star Kyrie Irving’s request to be traded and no longer play alongside LeBron James. They won a championship together in 2016 before the Warriors won the June rematch.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of what conversations are going on. It’s obviously surprising, but at the end of day nothing’s really surprising when it comes to story lines and things like that from year to year. It’s just kind of the nature of the beast. I’m sure if something happens I’ll be able to talk about it more, but right now he’s still on Cleveland’s team.”
While Curry received his hefty new deal, GM Bob Myers kept nearly the entire team intact for another championship chase. From Finals MVP Kevin Durant accepting a new team-friendly deal to key reserves Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston and centres Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee and David West, the star-studded roster looks awfully familiar.
“It’s huge because we have great potential and opportunity to do some amazing things and win more championships,” Curry said. “When you have that chemistry, you don’t want it to end.”
It’s another whirlwind summer for Curry, who made an impressive appearance in last week’s Web.com Ellie Mae Classic, before missing the cut in the golf tournament, which is one step below the PGA Tour.
Two championships in three years is pretty special, and he never forgets that. “I think about it every day and it kind of helps me put things in perspective, how blessed I am to be able to do what I’m able to do on and off the floor, the opportunities I have to even run a camp like this,” he said.
“Because I used to go to the camps of guys who played before me and learn from them and just be kind of awestruck and eyes wide open trying to learn as much as I could. Fast forward to these last few years and now I’m on the other side of that equation, giving back to the next generation of players. All of that is very surreal, but it’s humbling just to be in that position. It actually helps me stay motivated to keep working because I don’t want the ride to end.”