Being a franchise leader didn’t stop Steph Curry from welcoming players to Golden State with open arms.
With the ball in his hands, sizing himself up, and taking a graceful leap before daggering a shot from deep — that has been Steph Curry’s hallmark in his 15-year NBA career. It worked well for him, winning four championships, two MVPs (including a unanimous one), one NBA Finals MVP, and two scoring titles. However, there is more to the “Baby-Faced Assassin” than just raining buckets from beyond the arc.
An ultimate hero
Being a franchise leader for almost every year he has been with the Golden State Warriors, Curry has seen and welcomed countless players at the helm. One such was Kelly Oubre Jr., who felt the leadership presence of the dominant point guard during his stay in the Bay Area.
“I would call him one of those ultimate heroes,” says the Philadelphia 76ers swingman. “He is Steph Curry, one. But, two, [he] is just a normal dude. And when I was there, [I] never asked him for anything. [I] never did anything.”
The 76ers forward played only a single season for the Dubs, but he quickly assembled a strong relationship with the four-time NBA champion.
With Klay Thompson out nursing a long-term injury, the Warriors brought in Oubre as an offensive component next to Curry ahead of the 2020-21 season. The former lottery pick averaged 15.4 points for the Dubs but was traded to the Charlotte Hornets the following season.
Selfless personality
Despite his status, Steph didn’t push back anyone trying to get close to him and helped in any way he could, whether it concerned basketball or life.
“I asked him for a pediatrician, I think. You don’t feel comfortable asking dudes for personal life things. Man, he opened his arms; he opened his city towards me, his team, although it was just for a year. I knew what I was there for. But at the end of the day, I formulated a great relationship with him… Steph is just one of those people who’s just a great human being,” Oubre said.
On November 11, the Sixers star was involved in a serious accident after he was struck by a car near his residence in Center City, Philadelphia. He was sidelined for 11 games due to a fractured rib and other injuries to his leg. Steph was one of the first guys to reach out to Oubre and show support.
