Curry, Green, Thompson lead the parade at NBA showcase
TORONTO — A broadcast reporter emerged from her enclosed studio on the second floor of the Sheraton Hotel on Thursday to find her next interviewee, Stephen Curry, being followed by a flock of people.
“They aren’t ours,” one of Curry’s reps said.
Whether he likes it or not, Curry’s entourage is growing by the day, and the same goes for Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, who also made their arrivals for All- Star weekend and decisively illustrated the Warriors’ status as darlings of the showcase.
This is the final All- Star weekend for Lakers great Kobe Bryant, and Toronto guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are fine ambassadors for the first NBA All- Star Game played outside the United States.
But everyone wants a piece of the Warriors. Aside from reporters, fans discovered a skylight and tried to photograph the Warriors as they sauntered through their media obligations. About five hours after his red- eye flight landed in Toronto, Curry found his way to the media circuit gantlet. He did spots for NBA TV, NBA Cares, ESPN, SiriusXM radio and Rachel Nichols’ “The Jump,” during which he was given about 12 lines to memorize and delivered them without a hitch.
The three- point leader did finally show the wear on him when he missed a point- blank shot at a garbage can with a banana peel. “I never get rest,” Curry joked. “We’ve got two kids.”
Green and Thompson arrived about 30 minutes after Curry exited and were sent in different directions to split the masses. Green answered any and all questions, while Thompson appeared more interested in finding a basketball court where he could practice.
It was also announced that Green signed with Serena Williams’ agent, Jill Smoller of WME, for off- court representation. He already has endorsement deals with Beats by Dre, Foot Locker and Nike, and many more are expected after the outspoken power forward completes his first All- Star weekend.
Will Warriors win 73? Before recording “Inside the NBA” on Thursday night, TNT invited a select group of reporters for a gathering with analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.
Of course, the Warriors’ chase to beat the 1995- 96 Chicago Bulls’ season- single record of 72 wins was one topic of conversation.
“I think they’re going to do it,” said Smith, who correctly predicted that the Warriors would better his Houston Rockets’ 15- 0 start to the season.
O’Neal said: “It’s very impressive the way they’re playing, but hopefully, their book reads: ‘ We won 73 games and we won a championship.’ If it reads any other way, it’s going to be all bad. I’d rather get a championship than win 73 regular- season games.”