Steph Curry uses ‘horrible’ movie metaphor to describe NBA career’s looming end originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As Steph Curry prepares for another postseason run, the Warriors star knows a difficult truth is getting harder to ignore.
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After 17 NBA seasons, Curry acknowledged that the end of his career is no longer some distant idea still years away. And while speaking to The Athletic’s Nick Friedell, the 38-year-old used an unusual — and self-described “horrible” — movie reference to explain what this stage of his journey feels like.
“It’s a horrible reference,” Curry told Friedell. “But in ‘Coming to America 2,’ a horrible movie, there was a living funeral. Where people were celebrating the king before he had passed, and that’s what he wanted. I don’t think any of us want that, but it’s kind of like our way, a small way, of giving each other flowers, because we know how hard it is to carry this weight that we have for our whole careers.”
Curry’s comments came as he reflected on the rare bond shared by longtime NBA stars such as Kevin Durant and LeBron James — players who have spent nearly two decades competing at the highest level while pushing one another along the way.
Though Curry made clear that he and his peers are still trying to extend their careers as long as possible, he also admitted they all understand the finish line is beginning to come into view.
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“It’s OK to acknowledge that it’s going to end at some point, but we all know that it’s on the horizon,” Curry told Friedell. “We’re all trying to extend it as long as we can.”
That mindset remains evident in Curry’s current push with the Warriors. He scored 35 points Wednesday night as Golden State rallied past the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA play-in tournament, keeping the Warriors’ season alive and advancing them to another elimination game Friday against the Phoenix Suns.
Knowing those opportunities are no longer guaranteed has given interactions between Curry and the stars of his era added meaning. Pregame embraces and brief conversations now serve as reminders of the battles, rivalries and shared experiences that helped shape an NBA generation.
“It’s appreciation,” Curry told Friedell. “Your success, failures, experiences and all that are all lived in a silo. It’s because of other people’s greatness that help you and motivate you and inspire you and frame all of your career.”
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If the Warriors beat Phoenix, they would claim the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed and advance to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs. A loss would end Golden State’s season — and bring Curry one step closer to the day he knows eventually is coming.
