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Steph Curry’s always been a dazzling player to watch, but this year something just seems like it’s reached another level. He’s led his team to an easy first place in the Western Conference, was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game and just generally seems to be having the best year of his life. So what exactly did he do in the offseason? “This summer, obviously with Team USA I had some great experiences playing against some great competition not only in training camp but against my teammates and guys in the league but obviously the best guys in the world,” he told For The Win. “I had a different role on that team, so defensively I was challenged a lot to be a wing defender that could impact the game on that end and I’ve taken that to be more accountable on the defensive end with the Warriors.
“And when you play in the summer and get back into game mode and game shape real quick, you keep that rhythm and that consistency going into the season, it’s kind of a jump start to this year.”
Curry spoke to For The Win to promote his new campaign with Degree for Men. The interview, which has been condensed, is below.
You’re participating in a one-on-one H-O-R-S-E-like shooting competition with John Wall during All-Star week. What’s his kryptonite and what do you think yours is?
My kryptonite is probably dunking. If his legs are loose and he gets up there and tries to throw one home and I gotta follow that, that’s not usually my forte. I could probably do it, but I’d have to get a good stretch in before. I think my range will probably be my strength against John, so we’ll see what happens.
Between that and the 3-point competition, I know they’re both a bit gimmicky and not as important as actual games, but how do you train for those and how much of that is competing against Steve Kerr?
I do a lot of competition stuff with Coach Kerr, shooting free throws pretty much before every practice. That kind of — it’s fun — it’s kind of gimmicky but it simulates pressure situations and that goes a long way to build confidence during games. For the 3-point competition, I’ll probably practice shooting from the rack the day or two before I leave for New York. Other than that, you try to have a lot of confidence when you’re out there. My normal routines throughout the course of the season will help me get ready for it.
We’ve seen video of you hitting pretty ridiculous shots in practice and before games. What’s the most ridiculous one we haven’t seen?
I have this routine when we stretch before practice, I throw full-court shots. I sling them with one hand over my shoulder. My percentage is really low, but I made one, literally 100 feet from way outside the baseline. Everybody was going crazy while we were stretching because I throw them all the time but nothing but net from about 100 feet, so that will be hard to top.
Is there a time you can see somehow using that in a game without getting immediately benched?
Only time chasing down a rebound seconds left on the game clock, I might do a little stall tactic to make sure it’s the last shot of the quarter to sling it and see what happens. But you have to get pretty lucky to get that opportunity.
Do you think that coaches should be allowed to enter the NBA All-Star skills competition?
There’s a great idea, I don’t know why anybody hasn’t thought of that. If coaches are down, maybe they could be one of the alternates for the 3-point shootout or participate in the Skills Competition. I doubt anybody would enter the dunk contest, but Coach Kerr could probably hold his own during the 3-point competition. I know he won it during his (playing) career so he’s experienced.
Who are three people historically you’d want to compete against in the 3-point shooting contest?
Larry Bird, Reggie Miller and of course, my dad (Dell Curry), throw him in there. He did it a couple of times during his career so that’d be a pretty stacked field there.
