Curry makes his fashion statement

Less than two weeks before the start of training camp, Stephen Curry is making sure nothing — not even a teammate’s much-discussed jab at Curry’s biggest sponsor — will hurt the Warriors’ locker-room culture.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer published Monday, Curry said he had a conversation with Kevin Durant about the NBA Finals MVP’s recent shots at Under Armour. It was Curry’s way of ensuring the issue wouldn’t seep into training camp and affect the team chemistry that was fundamental to Golden State’s recent championship run.

“This is nothing that is going to put a wrench in the locker room,” Curry told the Observer. “I

told him that he has a certain opinion based on his experience growing up in the Nike business. What that means when it comes to the competition among shoe brands and universities and the whole grassroots system and whatnot — he’s entitled to that opinion, obviously.

“But when it comes to what I’m trying to do with Under Armour, and what the Curry brand means and what Under Armour basketball means, that statement does not ring true at all.”

Durant — a Nike spokesperson — told the Ringer on a podcast last month that “nobody wants to play in Under Armours.”

Revenue for Curry’s Under Armour shoes and apparel reached $200 million in 201516 before dipping last season. In April, on the company’s earnings call, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank conceded that he wasn’t pleased with the reception of the Curry 3 signature shoe.

Eager to capitalize on Curry’s burgeoning popularity, Under Armour has raised the price of each of Curry’s signature shoes — from $120 for the Curry One to $140 for the Curry 3. In the wake of the tepid reception to the Curry 3, Under Amour dropped the price to $99.99.

Part of the problem was that, because of Curry’s history of ankle injuries, the fourtime All-Star needs to wear a shoe with a higher profile to protect his ankle. Most consumers wear basketball shoes for fashion, and lower- profile shoes tend to be a better sell.

In the summer of 2014, while in the market for a sneaker deal, Durant seriously considered signing with Under Armour for at least $265 million over 10 years. Ultimately, he signed an even bigger deal with Nike.

“Where we were four years ago and where we are now — you can’t tell me nobody wants to wear our shoes,” said Curry, who has become Under Armour’s biggest attraction since leaving Nike for the brand in 2013. “I know for a fact they do.”