We’ve all seen it. Steph Curry enters a zone and simply can’t be stopped.
So, does he have a name for his alter ego when reaching that elevated state? Curry joined Warriors teammate Andre Iguodala and his co-host Evan Turner for the debut episode of their “Point Forward” podcast which dropped Wednesday.
Iguodala is a fantastic host and got Curry to reveal some great insight into his personal journey from his first contract extension to arguably becoming the face of the NBA. Iguodala also asked Curry how it feels to get absolutely locked in.
“You’re invincible,” Curry said. “I dunno how to put a name to it. Everybody says it’s the Wardell in me.”
Curry also discussed a game early in his career at Oracle Arena when Kobe Bryant helped instill some confidence in him. As he remembers it, the Los Angeles Lakers were winning by 10 or 12 and Kobe was sitting on the bench, while Curry was still keeping his foot on the pedal. Curry recalled hitting a 3-pointer on one possession then coming back down the floor to hit a spin move, stepback jumper off the glass.
“I didn’t know at the time, but I went and saw the highlights after the game,” Curry said. “I hit the shot and Kobe’s kinda right in the view of the camera, behind me. He mouthed to [teammate Robert Sacre], ‘That motherf–ker’s nice.’ They caught it on the camera and somebody sent it to me, like, ‘Yo, he said that about you.’”
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For a young player trying to establish himself in the league, that three-word compliment from Kobe is probably the only validation you need. Curry relayed some more valuable insight that he gained in a conversation with the late basketball legend.
“He went on to talk about that silent, killer instinct vibe – that it doesn’t have to be rah-rah, talking trash in your face,” Curry said. “It’s something that you see in your eyes and the way that you move that came out and he respected and recognized that. That, to me, was the ultimate gas in the tank. I always had it, but when you get to the league, it’s a different experience and a different level when you’re playing against the best of the best of best and you know what it took to get there. I don’t have a name for it, but it’s a supreme, irrational confidence that I hope I never, ever lose.”
At that point, Iguodala had to chime in quickly.
“I don’t think it’s irrational for you,” Iguodala said.
Kobe knew Steph was special. Now we all know that Wardell is the game’s greatest shooter. You can hear the conversation at the 41:20 mark here.
