Warriors star Curry is rooting for Giants
Details brief playing career
SAN FRANCISCO >> Even Stephen Curry has been swept up by magic of October baseball.
The Warriors star was sporting a baseball glove on his hand Friday morning when he arrived for post-shootaround media availability at Chase Center, where the Warriors host their third preseason game Friday night at the same time as the Giants begin their historic playoff series against the Dodgers, a quick kayak paddle away at Oracle Park.
“A lot of chaos around here today,” Curry noted. “Hopefully the Giants get it done.”
The NBA’s best shooter has his own brief history on the baseball diamond.
At 6-3, 190, he has the build of a middle-infielder, and that’s where he was initially penciled in the lineup, Curry said. He could swing it a little, too, as a two-strike hitter, he said.
“Then I ended up in right field,” he said, “and that was the end of my baseball journey.”
“I kind of miss it,” Curry added. “It’s October. It’s a good time of year for baseball. … I’ve got that in my blood a little bit.”
Baseball roots run deep in the Curry clan.
Dell Curry, Steph’s father, said on an episode of “Off the Hardwood” that his dad introduced him to baseball before basketball, the sport in which he would eventually build a 16-year NBA career.
A preteen Steph detailed in the same episode why he opted for basketball over baseball.
“I liked it, but I was more interested in basketball at the time. It was more my sport. I was kind of better at it. With basketball, I want to practice some more at it and try to make it to the pros if I have a chance.”
The Warriors’ locker room has had a reason to tune into the postseason.
Coach Steve Kerr has been careful to downplay his Dodgers fandom ahead of the first time the two rivals square off in the postseason. Otto Porter Jr., a native of St. Louis, was disappointed to hear of the Cardinals’ walk-off loss to his coach’s favorite team upon returning to the locker room after their preseason win Wednesday night.
The Warriors and Giants share a similar travel schedule over the next week, though Kerr said he isn’t likely to find time to make it any games in San Francisco or L.A.
The Giants host the Dodgers Friday and Saturday nights before traveling to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 (if necessary) Monday and Tuesday. The Warriors host the Lakers Friday night, then depart for Los Angeles Monday afternoon for a Tuesday night preseason game at Staples Center.
TUNE IN
WARRIORS AT LA LAKERS When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. TV/Radio: TNT/ 95.7