Clark lifts lid on Steph & party tricks
STEPH Curry’s on-court party tricks don’t surprise Sydney Kings import guard Ian Clark.
“Because I’ve seen it too many times before,” says Clark, who won an NBA championship alongside Curry at Golden State Warriors in 2017.
“After training, Steph would regularly challenge everyone to a halfcourt shootout and he’d always nail the shot. Often multiple times.”
Curry’s consistent shooting spanning years is why Clark just shook his head when the Warriors superstar put on a show to win the MVP in last week’s NBA All-Star game.
He dropped a whopping 50 points, including a record 16 threes, one with his back turned while he celebrated with the crowd.
“Oh, that is Steph for you and he is always going to hit crazy shots,” Clark said.
“He is the greatest shooter of all time and he has fun out there, but he also puts in the work every day. I’ve seen it in the gym and at training.” g.”
Clark remembers rs the excitement around Bay Arena when All-Star Kevin Durant announced he was joining an already loaded Warriors side featuring future re Hall of Famers Curry, rry, Klay Thompson and nd Draymond Green in 2016.
“There was a huge buzz,” he said. “We blew a 3-1 lead in the finals the year before, so the mindset once KD arrived was to win and put our heads down and get to work and see if we can get this thing done.
“We were connected on and off the court and championship teams all have the same type of DNA. All the players want to see everyone in the team succeed, no matter where they sit down the line.”
Clark sees similar traits in a young yet talented Sydney Kings side, featuring former NBA players and rising Aussie stars.
“For sure, and it starts in the locker room,” he said. “The culture, starting with the coaching staff in how they get us prepared and ready and then players are buying in.
“When you have everyone on the same page and willing to do whatever it takes to win and you don’t care who gets the credit. That is the start of a championship DNA.
“I’ve only been at the Kings for two games, but I can see guys standing and cheering on the bench for every play, guys are hustling and getting on the floor and doing the dirty and little things.’’ Expect fireworks against Adelaide.