The Stephen Curry Interview (Part 2) | LeBron James and Steve Nash | Mind the Game

You know, Dirk told me that Seth told him a story about how they used to make fun of you shooting in the driveway. Oh, yeah. I gotta hear this one. Me and Seth growing up. Seth, older. Is he older? I'm older. Oh, you're

one. Me and Seth growing up. Seth, older. Is he older? I'm older. Oh, you're

older. He's two years younger. And we had full reign until my mom, we heard her voice, it's time to come in. But she'd have to pull us off the court. Unless I caught a foul on Seth and he's like, I ain't fouled you. And he'd steal the ball, tuck it under his arm. And unless I

fouled you. And he'd steal the ball, tuck it under his arm. And unless I gave him a call, he'd tell me I was cheating and he would bounce. And

so it was like the little brother, big brother, like, I want to keep playing.

So you're like, okay, okay, okay. Yeah, exactly. That's the same as my brother in baseball when we were kids. My younger brother, I get him out, he'd be like, okay, I'm going in. Okay, you can go up again. Same exact same thing. Do

you want to play? I want to play. But he was competitive, he wanted to beat me, but he never could. So he'd be like, you cheat, man. But that

was a part of the healthy brother -sibling rivalry that was amazing. Now fast forward, hopefully I get to share the court as teammates. That's crazy. Seems to get your dad on the broadcasting team. Got to bring Eric, too, then. Got to bring his counterpart, because he is hilarious. There's a clip, a highlight of all his

famous calls or whatever, and there's a game, Kemba scores, hit a three in like the first quarter, and they're down like eight, but he acted like it was a game winner, and just the volume he went to. My dad texts us all the time, like, yo, he has some gems tonight for him. Yeah, for sure. He's great.

I like that guy. How do you do? The lady! No, he's

hilarious. That is what sports is supposed to be about.

What makes Steph the greatest shooter of all the time, besides them shits going in?

Obviously. Besides them shits going in, first of all, I told you this, I told him last time, I said, but you're, every time you shoot the ball, I think it's going in. Every time you shoot, I think it's going in. Every time, still to this day. But his ability to be able to run, pick, and roll, play one -on -one, but more importantly, get off the ball as well. That makes him

the greatest. Me and a few of our friends, we had a group chat, we

the greatest. Me and a few of our friends, we had a group chat, we were just talking about Otani the other night. And one of our friends, he said, if I sent y 'all a message and said that a guy struck out 10 batters in the NLCS, you guys would be like, oh, that was a hell of a game by that pitcher. Wow.

And then if I sent a separate text and said in that same game, another guy came in and had three home runs in that same game. No,

he said, no, the same guy did that. He did both of those. It's the

same game. He did both of those. So what makes Steph one of the most dangerous players of all time is the fact that you're going to get it in so many different ways. I'm going to come down to semi -transition. If you don't pick, if your pickup point is too low, bang. If I come off a high screen pick and roll and your big is not up to touch, bang. If you

cover me well, I'm going to get off the ball and I don't care getting off the ball. A lot of guys will give in to getting off the ball because they don't, they feel uncomfortable with now moving. And losing control. That's a big deal. And losing control. I want to make every play or I feel like, you

deal. And losing control. I want to make every play or I feel like, you know, and not even like I want to make every play. I feel like our team is most comfortable with me making the decisions. Okay, Steph, I'm getting off the ball. And I'm about to, and it's going to find me because the energy, the

ball. And I'm about to, and it's going to find me because the energy, the energy that I'm going to drag out for our team and for the fear of the opponent, I think that, that, it makes him the greatest, it makes him the greatest shooter of all time and one of the greatest threats in NBA history. We

got a couple more just because it's fun to hear you guys talk through this about it.

I just don't even make it. Wow. To your point, like if I, if I ever just stop and give in to the physicality, then they got me, which it happened a lot in the series. But the idea of like always being on the move, you're, you're somewhat of a threat because you have one guy

for sure, maybe two, sometimes three people worried about, you know, what's your next move I'd be trying to predict and with all that chaos right there with six people in the same area, like me just getting down below the free throw line, it may, it just created the gravity, right? That's the, that's the famous, the famous line.

But it also allows you guys to play with two quote unquote non -shooters, which in today's league is almost impossible. But because the constant movement, you could play with Loon, you can play with Dre and Draymond's head games, I think this is one of them where he made a bunch of threes and he's obviously can do that.

But those are classic non -shooters on a scouting report. And you still can be a highly effective and efficient offense. You couldn't do that if it was just all pick and roll, pick and roll, pick and roll, pick and roll. Because at

some point the defense is going to get, they're going to just shift. They're going

to shave all the way to the loaded side. It's predictable. Sometimes I think like you're, you know, you're an off the ball player more than a pick and roll player and that's a mistake. You're actually an elite, elite pick and roll player. But

because we were used to, so you do both. So now we've gone random pinch post, post to pass stuff, you screening, running off, head under the rim, taking off guys. All of a sudden you go, hey, we need one. They scored, we get

guys. All of a sudden you go, hey, we need one. They scored, we get in the pick and roll. And now it's a whole nother type of coverage. And

we haven't, whereas when I was playing, they're like, he is getting in pick and roll. And whether we switch and he's ISOing or he's drawing the roll, they kind

roll. And whether we switch and he's ISOing or he's drawing the roll, they kind of know. There's a template here. Your template's like twice as big. To your point,

of know. There's a template here. Your template's like twice as big. To your point, like, this is the lineups that I was blessed to play with. That trust was built over, okay, if I give it up, to your point of like, what's in the best range of the team? Some teams, I get it. If you give it up, you might not get it back because you don't have another primary ball handler

that can handle some ball pressure and still see the play. And like me setting a screen on clay, which you want to do. Right, right, right. But the ability for me to be able to set a screen, make a decision, and have the energy to do it for 48. Yeah, that's the most impressive. And I know there's basketball savants and guys that know the game, whatever. But like I said, a lot

of things that don't get discussed, too, is your conditioning. You know, I talked about the strength earlier, but the conditioning, like, never looks tired. You know, never looks defeated. Never looks tired. Out there, like, for 48 minutes or however long you're out

defeated. Never looks tired. Out there, like, for 48 minutes or however long you're out on the floor, is this constant, constant pressure. And that is just, it's deflating for a defense. It's power to your teammates. You know, you, he's one of the few

a defense. It's power to your teammates. You know, you, he's one of the few guys that I've ever seen that can, like I said, get off the ball and turn his back on the ball. You don't see that. And when he does that, you literally, like. He gets off the ball, turns his back and starts running this way. And literally, when he does that, that's when, oh, shit. Yeah, so as a

way. And literally, when he does that, that's when, oh, shit. Yeah, so as a defender, as a defender, if my guy gets off the ball, throws it over here, and he's running over here, you're like, okay, let me open up. Because you've been taught, you've been taught your whole life, ball you basket, ball you man, like, point him, you, he gets over, he's not running away like this, you're like, oh, shit,

yay. Boom. And he's coming out this way, ball's fighting him, and you're like. He

yay. Boom. And he's coming out this way, ball's fighting him, and you're like. He

thinks this shit's funny. No, he does. He thinks it's funny. I love it. Yeah,

he thinks it's funny. It's my favorite. Yeah, he is. That's amazing. He's still going for it. Still, the guys are still going for it. But the problem is, it

for it. Still, the guys are still going for it. But the problem is, it doesn't really matter. Like, it's nice to get a couple steals, like, I mean, get that extra yard or two in space. He's still going to, I just go, okay, I'll set a screen. What are you going to do? Okay, I'll come off, and I'll curl, and someone gets a layup. Like. You can't, it's impossible to defend. You

just got to hope. Yeah. You just got to hope for some odd reason. Enough

of them don't go in. Yeah, and somebody has tightened the rim to a point where that is, it's like an invisible finger underneath the net in the rim, and he shoots it, and they just keep. Right. Yeah, because you just got to hope that it goes. So, like, you know, just certain players in our league, there's just certain guys over the course of the history of the game. No matter what you

do, they still have an advantage. Yeah. And that's what makes them great. That's what makes Grace great. So, just talking gravity. I mean, it's chaos. And

great. That's what makes Grace great. So, just talking gravity. I mean, it's chaos. And

this is a set play. This is a ghost screen. Yeah, we ran it last year a little bit. It's just a matter of, you know, inverting, pick and roll.

And then I get to decide. Do I screen? Based on how my defender is, how close the guys are guarding KD here, how much space I have on the weak side, whether I want to set it, get him downhill, go screen it out, slight hold and slip late. There's a lot of options and a lot of different timing that I can control as a screener here. But in this particular clip, you

saw two things. You saw space to go screen, run into, and you felt him climb up. On the high side. You feel it on your left shoulder right there.

climb up. On the high side. You feel it on your left shoulder right there.

I see one bad mistake right now. Run his back. You're absolutely right.

to everything that you saw in this clip. And I'm glad this is behind the camera. Why are we this hugged? So, yeah. So, it's just amazing. Man, it's easy.

camera. Why are we this hugged? So, yeah. So, it's just amazing. Man, it's easy.

We could have ran out and played three straight times and it would have been a different cover. We should never be this hugged up here. Yeah. With the two most dangerous guys on this side of the floor right here. And to your point, the game is adapted now. We're up. Listen, we're down four. In the gaps. You're

almost saying, you can throw the lob. Well, we'll give you a chance that we're in. We're saying. This guy. Who's that? Caleb? Mm -hmm. Caleb's probably two steps to

in. We're saying. This guy. Who's that? Caleb? Mm -hmm. Caleb's probably two steps to the right so that KD sees a body. He still might go downhill if I set a really good screen on you. Yeah. But at least he's showing himself already.

This picture. We never show that anymore. No. There's no chance. Too many body -tight defenders right here. Everyone's putting the way. You just never know, too. You look at time and score. You're down four. You know you got to get a stop. You're

down 0 -2. That also plays with the psyche, too. It's like, I got to be the one to get the stop instead of saying, we got to get a stop. So, like, everybody. I'm like, I'm on KD. I'm like, fuck. Yeah. I don't.

stop. So, like, everybody. I'm like, I'm on KD. I'm like, fuck. Yeah. I don't.

It's loud in the air. I don't want to fuck everybody else. If I don't get a stop, boom. I don't know if I'm being talked to right now. Screen

coming. Square. Stay square. Obviously, we're not doing anything back here. Everyone's. Because, you know, shit. He don't know if he comes off. And now there's a wide pen for

shit. He don't know if he comes off. And now there's a wide pen for Klay coming off here. Yeah. We're down four. 30 seconds to go. If we don't get a stop here, the game is death. So, yeah, we may not ever see this anymore. The game is not talked like this anymore. But you never know when

this anymore. The game is not talked like this anymore. But you never know when you're inside the arena and the fire is on you. So, everything changes so loud.

It's so important, especially, like, you can sit here and pick people apart watching games.

If you're not in the room, you know why we chose this game plan. What

player is not capable or willing. That's that Monday morning quarterback right there. Everybody could

be that Monday morning quarterback. You're not in the room why we chose and why the coaches watched 100 hours of film and decided on this game plan with this group. Now, they can be wrong, but typically they did the work. and they chose

group. Now, they can be wrong, but typically they did the work. and they chose it. And sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But it's interesting, though. Because of both

it. And sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But it's interesting, though. Because of both your teams, the way you play, the way you attack, the paint, the way that you're always threatening the front of the rim, now the game evolves and defenses are getting in the gaps. You can skip it to player three, four, or five, and we'll shift over our zone and we'll start again. But the game evolves. And I

feel like that is one of the evolutions is now people are in the gaps hard. There's no quick, I beat my guy and I can get in. It's a

hard. There's no quick, I beat my guy and I can get in. It's a

lot less prevalent to just have that open space. You see how many teams are running guard -to -guard screens now. OKC won a championship essentially off of putting Shea and shooters around and making you have to decide. Yeah. You want to do the pick -on game, favorable matchup. Driving lanes are always there. Kick -outs are shooters if you need it. But just trying to create as much space as possible with decisions

for the defense to have to make. I love what you said. The context of the game doesn't matter. We can freeze -frame it. KD had just hit a shot.

Like, OK, everybody's in tennis. Your antenna's out. It ain't going to be you. Right,

right, right, right. And I just love it. That's why we love the game. Because

every possession has some different feel. It's a puzzle, right? So it's so much. It's

a puzzle. That's why you love the competition behind it. What about the fitness to run around like that? Like, do you take that part serious or is that some of that natural? Like, you mean you've been doing this for how many years now?

This is 17 now. 17 years of... Don't you answer that question. 17 sounds

great. I just said. But it was always a part of, like, to the point of being on ball, off ball, having to do both. Like, it was always a part of you can't, you know, waste away down the stretch of games if that's going to be, you know, it's a skill set, right? My conditioning is a skill set. The idea of how you train and the intensity, it doesn't mean I have

set. The idea of how you train and the intensity, it doesn't mean I have to be in there for two, three hours on the court. It's just, if I'm in there for 45, like, what am I getting out of this 45 and how much focus, intentionality, and intensity can I put into a drill? That's,

again, that question when you look yourself in the mirror. Like, I know that this is, you know, transferable to a game. It's not just... How much can I simulate this workout into a game situation? It's just, how many can you do that over and over and over and over again? The volume of that is carrying me. So,

granted, we all got to do our sprints and, like, raw conditioning and just, can you get that threshold high? But the actual, can I shoot when I'm, my heart rate's at 170 for, you know, a minute straight and I still be, you know, accurate. Like, challenging yourself in that respect, that's game like. It's purposeful and tense.

accurate. Like, challenging yourself in that respect, that's game like. It's purposeful and tense.

Yeah, I guess also, like, part of the pain, I know you must feel this, is feeling the pain of your opponent. Mm -hmm. Like, you

can feel... My favorite line is when somebody, like, the free -the -line dead ball is like, yo, stop moving around so much. Yes. Got him. When somebody tell me that, I love it. Like, to the point of, yeah. Because somebody, something has to give, right? Yes. You know? Every game, every matchup, every battle, something got to give.

give, right? Yes. You know? Every game, every matchup, every battle, something got to give.

I think, I don't remember, I think it was, uh, who was it? Oh, my

goodness. I forgot who it was. We were playing Indiana in 18. Mm -hmm. We

were playing Indiana in 18. I think it was Thaddeus Young. And, uh, I think it was fourth quarter with, like, five minutes to go. And I had played 43 minutes. I was going with all 48. And I was, I think I was taking

minutes. I was going with all 48. And I was, I think I was taking the ball out. He was taking it out. He was like, you're going to play the whole game? I said, I'm playing the whole game. He was, and I looked at it, he was like, he basically said, what the fuck? It's like the whole game. Right. Like, I don't know, I'm not getting tired of playing the whole game.

game. Right. Like, I don't know, I'm not getting tired of playing the whole game.

Like, he was like, I was like, okay, yeah, I got it.

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Your dad didn't have you play AAU basketball for a couple years. Big years, too.

Yeah, 13 to 15. Those are big years. And what was the methodology and thought? The story of the time, you know, growing up in Charlotte, playing AAU, I started at 9, played 10 and under, did 10 and under two years, and then played, you know, the next three.

And that was kind of the beginning. This is, what, 98 to 2001, 2002.

AAU was starting to, like, blow up. You know, teams popping up everywhere. The competition

was kind of getting a little diluted. But also, I was physically underdeveloped compared to some of the better kids at my age. And the kind of thought process was, am I really getting better by just getting physically, like, manhandled at this age? Like, there's a little bit of, like, you got to figure it out.

this age? Like, there's a little bit of, like, you got to figure it out.

Like, you got to understand what physicality is. But the amount of games that we were playing and just the gap that was there, the idea was, you know, take those two years to really kind of hone in on a work ethic and a, you know, physical kind of maturation that could then catch me up. So that by

16, going back into travel basketball, that when recruiting would start, that I'd be ready to go. So I played school ball in those two years, did, you know, training and all that type stuff. Went to the, even just going to the wild, back then, it was like, man over there, too, you're a grown man at the wild, yeah. Grown men, dudes coming back from overseas playing in Charlotte. Like, so

I got to play against good competition. It just wasn't formalized in terms of travel ball and, like, am I really getting something out of this? At the time, it was the hardest thing he could have ever told me. Like, these four or five months, like, you're not going to be. Especially in the summer, like, I don't get to travel to play ball. That's all I want to do. for sure. So you

played 36 and hit the range. I did become that kid. Like, dropped me off at the public. It's Charlotte Golf Links. It's not there anymore in Charlotte, but it was a good counter to basketball. So, you know, you track.

My AU coaches, y 'all failed me. Coach Drew Joyce, you failed me. Do not

let me play those. I could have been at the links. I could have been at Firestone Country Club. That's what I'm saying, just right down the street. God damn

it. I was that kid, too, yeah. Do you feel like there's a parallel from golf to basketball for you, or is it just a great release? First, it's a great release. You're outside. You're with the people that you want to spend time with.

great release. You're outside. You're with the people that you want to spend time with.

But what I've found is tapping into that competitive energy without having to expand yourself as you do in basketball. For me, it's the most healthy way to get away from the game, but still tap into what makes me. You

know me. Yeah. You're always competing against yourself. It doesn't matter. You might lose some money games in your group or whatever, but you know, like, it's shot to shot.

It's, can I lock in and conquer this? And if I can't, I can't dwell on it because you got to, you know, you're on this vision. You got the next shot coming up. And it's the same commentality with basketball, not kind of dwelling in the past or getting too down on yourself and things aren't going your way.

You just got to figure it out. And that perseverance, I found, is a good parallel to golf, too. Like conditioning your focus. And being able, yeah, positive self -talk. Like, the idea of, it's just you end up, and you get so

self -talk. Like, the idea of, it's just you end up, and you get so frustrated at times. It's like there's no, there's no two ways around it. Bro, when

you say you get frustrated and you've been playing since you was 10, you can only imagine how I feel out here. I just started a few months ago. Like,

but I love what you said, though, when you was out there with Bryson. He

was like, he asked you, like, why do you love golf so much? He was

just like, one word, it's intoxicating. Yeah. That's it. Like, just straight up, intoxicating. Like,

it is. It's just, I never, like, Randy been trying to get me to play golf since I was, like, 18 years old. Okay, I didn't know it was that long. When I first got into the league, he was like, bro, we got to

long. When I first got into the league, he was like, bro, we got to play. I'm like, I'm not playing that slow -ass, corny game. Can Randy play?

play. I'm like, I'm not playing that slow -ass, corny game. Can Randy play?

Randy was a caddy when he was, like, 12 years old. Okay. So, he said he would go out, be a caddy, you know, and, you know, obviously when you go, like, they don't really want the caddies playing. He said, but some of the guys will, you know, depending on how far the hole was from the club box or the clubhouse, they will let him go up and hit every now and then

from time to time and things of that nature. And he kind of, like, learned the game from there. He can watch it, obviously. They would tell him, you know, how far the ball was from the pin, from the flag, all these type of, like, nuances of the game. And he's just been in it, like, for years and years and years. And, like, when you get into the NBA, you know, every team

always has this, like, this little golf outing there every year. So, like, when I played with Cleveland early on, we had this golf outing. Like, Austin Carr would be there and, like, you know, Larry Nance and all the guys would be there. And

I would go and I would dress apart. One thing about it, I'm going to look good out there. I'm like, I'm not playing this game. I'm not playing this.

I regret it. I owe him. I already owe him a lot, but I wish I would listen for sure. You got time. But I got something to do. You

got plenty of time. You said intoxicating. So, what's the lowest score you've ever had on cocktails? It goes either way. It get hot or it ain't cold.

on cocktails? It goes either way. It get hot or it ain't cold.

Well, you try to find crews in altitude when you're out there. Like, once you get past that. It's a science. to it. I had some good rounds. You know, we're on vacations in the summer, though. I got to turn

good rounds. You know, we're on vacations in the summer, though. I got to turn off the expectations of acting like I'm out here on the PGA Tour. I'm just

having a good time. To your point, though, that idea of starting from scratch is something. Golf is like the one thing, no matter how hard you work, you don't

something. Golf is like the one thing, no matter how hard you work, you don't necessarily get that return on investment right away. Delayed gratification.

Whatever that J curve is, it's that. Like, you're going to be bad for a while, and then something's going to click, and then you'll see the consistency start. And

then it's like, all right, now I'm like, how do I actually, you know, score on a round and, you know, round to round? All right, now how can I get a little bit more creative on short game stuff? Oh, and now I see the whole bit, now it's strategy. Like, I need to hit it here to be able to attack. Like, that's why it's a game for life, and it's so much

fun once you get through that initial frustration of, like, if I spend four or five hours out here, I might not get that much better right now. I might

not, like, be able to have something to show for it, but it's all going to pay. One thing I want to ask you about is, I want to get

to pay. One thing I want to ask you about is, I want to get into a leadership conversation with you guys, but one thing I want to ask you about, having been around you a bunch, is you're always the same every day.

And I don't know if this is true, but I want to talk through, like, pressure, because, like, maybe I'll start by saying, like, because your dad played in the league, does the league not feel so big to you? It still does. But it

helped the initial shock factor, for sure. I've been in locker rooms, I've gone on a couple road trips and seen, you know, how the team moves and all that. I got to see how my dad interacted with, you know, coaching staff, other players, staff in the locker room, around the arena, around the team,

like, all those type of things. Even fans, at times when we were at dinner, you know, in Charlotte growing up, people come over, like, interrupting dinner. I got to see how he handled those moments. Obviously, he played in a different era, and it's a hundred times what he experienced. But that shock factor, I think, was kind of neutralized because I've been around it. But it's still surreal. Like, none of this makes

any sense. But you come in every day with a smile on your face. Like,

any sense. But you come in every day with a smile on your face. Like,

I think it's really important, like, for fans to understand how valuable that is. Yeah.

When your best player is just, like, happy -go -lucky. Yeah. Every day.

That's a gift. But also, like, the hardest worker. Yeah. Like, the most intense, purposeful, routine -oriented focus. But then, like, you could be right in the middle of focus, and someone could yell something funny across the gym, and you just start dying laughing.

Like, the balance is insane. Like, can you? I don't know how to. No,

that's my personality. I find fun in everything. To your point, I have the. killer instinct behind the smile. Like, I want to

have the. killer instinct behind the smile. Like, I want to win every game. I want to. But I'm going to have fun. My faith has a big part of it. I'm super grateful knowing, like, none of this makes sense.

I know I worked hard. I know I was given a gift. But what? Why?

Like, what is this? doesn't make sense to me. And I try to, like, rationalize with that every single day. And so I don't want to ever lose that gratitude for what I get to do. And then, out of that, like, basketball is fun to me. Like, this job has. There's challenges all over the place. We feel it

to me. Like, this job has. There's challenges all over the place. We feel it every. Like, especially when you're leading a team and franchise and trying to win. And

every. Like, especially when you're leading a team and franchise and trying to win. And

when you play well and when you don't, it's coming back to you. Like, you

have to be able to embrace that. But basketball is still fun to me. Like,

when I'm out there on the court, a happy place. Yeah. If I lose that, then it's probably time to quit. For sure. Said that. But I don't know what.

I guess there's a part of it, too, that's a little bit of intentionality. Like,

don't let. Yeah. Like, you have to address stuff that happens. Life is unfair at times. And there's a lot of things that, you know, you're balancing. And all the

times. And there's a lot of things that, you know, you're balancing. And all the different roles we play as a man. But I try not to allow that to creep in on the sanctity of, like, basketball. Because I know, like, it's not going to be around forever. The way you guys have handled your lives and careers and balance is as impressive as your games. But I just, honestly, the way your

spirit, energy, like, the way he comes in every day. Like, it's almost more impressive than your game. Like, someone can be in the storm every day. Everyone's looking at you every day. How's he come in? People stop looking now because they know what they're going to get. Like, that's just a remarkable skill or talent.

Tell us about leadership. Like, what's your thoughts? And, like, what is your belief in a leadership role? Yeah, everybody has their different style. We all know that. Like, I

was never the loudest kind of voice in the room. And it took me a while to kind of develop not just the confidence, but you talk about the skill set of, like, your presence. Like, the skill set of timely messages, how to get people's attention. How an audience in the locker

people's attention. How an audience in the locker room can kind of relate to what you're saying, how you're saying it, what you're trying to get out of them. Like, all that's been built over time. I'm still

learning to this day. I've been grateful to have different personalities around me that fulfill a different job as well. Like, Draymond, for me, in that sense, has been the fire that we need on a daily basis. Where he'll tell you, you don't know what you get when you're coming in every day, but you need that to get you through, you know, the times where we need a little spark.

Like, we need somebody to, say, F you. Like, whoever's in that other locker room, like, create an enemy. Like, that's not my necessarily nature, but that's his. And then

I can bring it back to saying, all right, let's not go over. Like, our

emotions can't get the best of us. We have to kind of find that balance.

And that tug of war has always been great over these last 14 years with him, with Steve. Like, in our locker room, his leadership is he's the most personable, like, see the human first type of guy that I've ever met. And he always leads with that in terms of the conversations he's trying to have and how he leads. So we all have different styles. We've made space for all of those different

leads. So we all have different styles. We've made space for all of those different voices over time. And that's the only way this thing has worked for as long as it has. And nobody's asked anybody to really change. It's just we all know, you know, what we bring to the table, and there's value in that. So that's

all been an amazing experience and something we'll talk about forever, just how we were able to put all this together. You've become more vocal. Oh, for sure. What was

that transition like? Is it just? do it. Naturally. Yeah. Did you feel like I had to? Or did you just naturally start? There's definitely an element of that when

had to? Or did you just naturally start? There's definitely an element of that when Mark Jackson was the first guy that really kind of lit that fire in me. He went out on a branch on his own. And when he called me and Clay the best shooting

backcourt duo in the league, and we were, what, year five and three at the time or something like that. But he created expectations. So in order to live that on the court, like everything that happens, we were doing it, but everything that happens behind the scenes in terms of the team culture and leadership, like now there's a sense of urgency on everything. So that was like the first kind of, you know,

put the battery in your pack, like, and become more vocal there. My style still is more like I'll do the, if we need to have the team only meetings, player only meetings. If we need that, that rah -rah, like, you know, the movie type, like we need, I need that speech type thing. But mostly mine's kind of trying to connect on the one -to -one to know everybody has a different style.

Every player is different. I know some people I might need to, you know, give just a little leaning show, like, yo, how you doing today? Like that type of thing. Or some guys might, I might need to just say everything and don't let

thing. Or some guys might, I might need to just say everything and don't let them even speak and just walk off. Like that type of thing. You just kind of learn that over time. Again, I haven't mastered that at all. Like I'm still learning that part of, to the point, you know, how you lead by example, how you show up every day, that does matter. But you do need to, hearing him,

you know, give speeches and talks last summer, everything was timely and everything mattered. And then like memorable in terms of the journey. Every time he brought

everything mattered. And then like memorable in terms of the journey. Every time he brought it in after practice or after a game, like he kind of was able to capture the moment. And that's a, that's a skill set that is different than the way that I approach it. And so, you know, everybody has their kind of unique way of leading. And that's, that's, that's pretty dope about this opportunity.

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So you guys finally played together this summer. Last summer in the Olympics. And your

leadership styles mesh. I mean, first question, was it great to welcome him to the Olympics four or five games?

36 holes a day. You know what's funny? We'd be at practice and D -Book would be like, you hear Ant. All right now, we waiting on one of them Steph games. And Book would be like, oh, it's coming.

And I'd be like, oh, yeah. I can see it. You remember when I was doing an interview against, is that Brazil? No, Puerto Rico. Yeah. Puerto Rico.

Yep. I was doing an interview with one of our local Bay Area guys. And

they asked me that question. Like, yo, your numbers, your shots. Do you feel like one of your marquee games is coming? And I was like, yeah, I'm just staying patient. And he was just walking by white when I said it. Hell yeah, it

patient. And he was just walking by white when I said it. Hell yeah, it is. And they wrote it, dude, heard it. I started dying.

is. And they wrote it, dude, heard it. I started dying.

The timing couldn't have been any better. That's the only part he heard. The whole

interview. All right, we said, all right, cut. That's all we need. But it's got to be tricky, though. Like, you guys bring the best players in the league. Come

together. In a short period of time. Yeah, for sure. You don't even know sometimes who's getting on the plane with injuries. Like, a couple guys drop out. And you

guys have to find a way that the room feels right. And the difference between, obviously, the biggest difference, like, on the court, is that your usage rate is not chopped in half. It's chopped like three -fourths. Right. You know, we all have the ability to, you know, if we have a bad first quarter or a bad first

half, we can figure it out in the second half. Yeah, sure. You know, we know that the ball's going to find us. We know the ball's going to be in our hands. We know, you know, we can play is going to be called our, you know, you're playing one with eight less minutes. You know, you're going from a 48 -minute game to a 40 -minute game. And that's, you don't realize until

you're playing in those games how fast those 10 -minute quarters go. Them things is rapid fire. But just like the usage rate thing, man, and it's like, you know,

rapid fire. But just like the usage rate thing, man, and it's like, you know, sometimes it's hard to get into a rhythm. Yep. You know, so the benefit that we had, you don't always have to be in a rhythm. because you look to your left, you're like, okay, all right, he got it tonight. Or, you know, so

what can I do that can still impact winning? And that was our mindset.

And like, obviously, we knew he was like being super hard on himself. Like, what

the fuck? Like, we knew we could see. Are you feeling a little bit? No,

for sure. We could see it after practice. First Olympics, like, you don't want to be the guy that is a context of numbers, to your point. Like, it's not, you can't compare it. But you don't want to be the guy that underperforms at a certain moment that could dictate whether we win or lose, especially in that locker room. Yeah. We've seen that through every practice. He was on his ass.

room. Yeah. We've seen that through every practice. He was on his ass.

Yes. And we was like, it's coming. Here it go. It's coming. And boy, did it come. Oh, man. Avalanche. One of the funnest, as a

it come. Oh, man. Avalanche. One of the funnest, as a Canadian, I say this, one of the funnest basketball moments in the semifinal. Oh, my best 10 minutes ever. Yeah. I was like a kid. Yeah.

the semifinal. Oh, my best 10 minutes ever. Yeah. I was like a kid. Yeah.

Off my couch, fist pumped. It's one of the best games I ever played in my life. I was like, what am I watching right now? You felt it in

my life. I was like, what am I watching right now? You felt it in the moment? I felt the panic at the end of the third quarter when old

the moment? I felt the panic at the end of the third quarter when old buddy and won three. Mm -hmm. And he was like, oh, yeah, I'm 15. What's

that like? I'm counting the minutes because to your point, how fast, like, you felt how fast the games were. And you're like, damn, what the hell? And when it got under eight, under seven in the fourth, and I look, I'm like, yo, if we own. What were you down under seven? Probably was eight to ten. probably still.

we own. What were you down under seven? Probably was eight to ten. probably still.

After KD hit the three and then Book hit the inbound three. That's when

the chamber, it's double digits to that point. Double digits. We was like, what are we, come on now. It ain't go time. It's just like emergency. This is like the president cracking the glass. Like, okay. Like, come on now. Defcon 5. Yeah, yeah.

But like, you, you, you were great. You carried the team through large stretches. You

were awesome. The whole tournament, like, devastating in transition and all that stuff. But like,

what the fuck was that? Like, you, like, did you, were you like, I'm hot?

Were you like, this is the moment? Were you, did it all come together? Like,

you were making ridiculous shots. First quarter against Serbia in the semifinals, that was, there was a moment where it was like, everything was a little tough. They were playing out of their mind. And then I found a couple openings. I missed my first three. We got an offensive rebound and kicked it back to the right wing. And

three. We got an offensive rebound and kicked it back to the right wing. And

I made the, the, the second, the two for a dollar. And at that point, you're like, all right. That's when you start to feel the energy. Like, maybe if I get a couple good looks, I'm starting to feel it. And they just came.

And pin downs were on time. Transitioned. Finding me in the corner. Like, everything just, you know, it was capitalized. It kept us in it to the point then that fourth quarter, just give us a chance. And, man, like, ten minutes of perfect basketball. Perfect. Except offensive rebounds. We couldn't get a rebound. Yeah, we could not

perfect basketball. Perfect. Except offensive rebounds. We couldn't get a rebound. Yeah, we could not get a, oh. We couldn't get a defensive rebound. But other than that, it was perfect basketball on both ends. Everybody had their moment. Everybody, you know, playing, you know, their ass off. And just the idea, like, it took everything out of us to get it. Serbia played an A -plus game. Yeah. A -plus.

They still wondering how the hell they did. Yeah. For sure. For real sure. Yeah.

We felt all of that. And then the final, the closing. I mean, the closing was insane. Like, you carried over, obviously, that kind of you felt now, okay, now I'm here. And I'm rolling. But, like, what's it like in those moments when you're just, you're like, you know what? I'm not going to mess with it. I'm

just going to pull. from, like, 28. There was no thought to it. I remember

the conversation we had. They had just cut it to three. When we hit the putback. And I'm like, yo, you get the ball, I'm

three. When we hit the putback. And I'm like, yo, you get the ball, I'm coming to set a screen for you. I actually wanted him to go downhill. Maybe

get to the freezing line. Like, at least settle us down. He's great at that.

Just from killing momentum for a second. When he threw that pass, like, muscle memory just took over. I couldn't even tell you what I was thinking. No, I

saw Yabaselli, like, bite on it on the left jab. And once you see that, it's just reactionary. And you make it, like, to the point, you're just living with it. And then from there, we had intentionality on the possession. It didn't mean I

it. And then from there, we had intentionality on the possession. It didn't mean I was going to get every shot. But it's just like we would get organized and, you know, settle the tempo down. And obviously, they all had to go in.

But I'm still laughing at the picture. You and Katie over there with you.

Are you talking about when you was quadruple team? I can't believe you froze us out like that and shot that crazy shit. I'm still laughing. But, Kevin, you had the ball. There was two on you. And you looked at him. And he was

the ball. There was two on you. And you looked at him. And he was like. He threw it back. And then I was just like, I got to get

like. He threw it back. And then I was just like, I got to get something going. Oh, my goodness. And I just saw this right here. We both over

something going. Oh, my goodness. And I just saw this right here. We both over there like. Oh, my goodness. NBA jam,

there like. Oh, my goodness. NBA jam,

bro. NBA jam. We all play NBA jam. In your mind, like, I'm serious because I love to understand if you can express this. Like, in those moments, what do you feel? Like, are you now not even thinking now? You were just instinctively playing

you feel? Like, are you now not even thinking now? You were just instinctively playing basketball. Yeah. You just see the rim. The first one was, again, to kind of

basketball. Yeah. You just see the rim. The first one was, again, to kind of say, like, I'm going to set a screen for you. He made the play. I

reacted, whatever. The second one, Batum, he hesitated for a half a second.

yep. And I got a quick pump, yep. And the third one, that was great basketball. The third one, I got trapped, swing, swing the book, baseline, drive.

basketball. The third one, I got trapped, swing, swing the book, baseline, drive.

That's like practice. And then it just happens that that's the follow -through of, like, really good possessions after three minutes of horrible possessions. Like, it was just, everybody was just in flow state. And I'm obviously going, you know, finishing the play, but it was just great basketball. The last one, whatever, that was. He didn't, you know,

he didn't see the rim on the last one. What night -night time. Everybody. It's

time to go to bed. I forgot about the rest of the time. I lost

my mind. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I lost my mind. You didn't play defense the next two possessions? No. Party and started. By the way, he thought a timeout happened

two possessions? No. Party and started. By the way, he thought a timeout happened after the last one. He ran down the whole right side, went around the base side, looked at our teammates on the bench. I'm like, yo, yo, yo, we got a guard shield, bro. Like, we this nigga. Yeah, I was selling it right in the towel. Oh, my God. Then he got the rebound. Yeah. Then he passed it.

the towel. Oh, my God. Then he got the rebound. Yeah. Then he passed it.

Yeah. Live passed the book. Yeah. And then I was like, whew. Yeah, we good.

You almost tricked it off with the silly. I went, oh, I covered some ground.

Yeah, he covered some ground. Bro, it was one of the best experiences. Like, it

was everything. People ask me all the time, like, you know, finally got an opportunity to play with Steph. Like, what was it? I was like, everything and more. Like,

it was perfect. First person I text. He was about to say that moment. He

was the first person I text when I was trying to assemble the team, whatever.

His first person I text. I said, bro. He said, good -willing.

I'm good injury -wise. That's the plan. I said, say no more.

That's amazing. That's how I started. What do you think? This is, how old are you guys now? You're 40? 30? 37. I'll be 41. Mm

-hmm. Month and a half. Yeah, bro. You think you got an L .A. Olympics?

When is that? next? The next one? 28? You already know my answer. No, you

don't even know. I will be watching this in comics. You did plenty of Olympics.

Yes, man. You did plenty of them. You think you might? It is the opposite answer of what I told him last year. It's like, God willing, I still have the choice and the physical option to be like, I could actually impact the team.

I never say never, but I highly doubt it. I'd love to be a part of the movement. We can't top what we just did last year. I would have top those last two games. That's the top. And just the moment, like, just, we can't top those last two games, man. Like, we can't. It's crazy. We literally

played France and Paris for the final. For the finals. You know, like, it would have been like in 08, like, during a redeem team, if we had played China in the final. Right. And playing you guys especially, the place must have been. Oh, that's great. They had all the chants. They had the songs going. You

been. Oh, that's great. They had all the chants. They had the songs going. You

know, they had beat Canada. They, you know, they was excited to play them, but it was conversation like, oh, shit, Canada going to be in the final four, you know. So, and they went in there and beat up on Canada. They did. They

know. So, and they went in there and beat up on Canada. They did. They

needed you, man. They had to shave that nerve down, man. They did not need a 51 -year -old PG. Playing zone.

I got the corner. You got the corner, man. I got the quick outlet.

It's right there. Hot potato. You know what randomly just popped in my head? Is

it true that you used to read tweets at halftime when you weren't playing well?

Yeah, I did that. I'm not proud of it, but it was a fun time.

I think it's amazing. There's just too many phones in the locker room now.

I enabled the younger generation to be like, oh, you find motivation from anywhere. But

yeah, it was like a two -year stretch. So wait, walk me through. What are

you thinking? It was only when I was playing bad. So if I was, you know, tripping, not in rhythm, shooting horrible, whatever, I go get a little motivation. So

it was like maybe four quick scrolls, find something. All right. And the coach would walk in. I'm ready. The one

walk in. I'm ready. The one

thing where I was messing around is a journalist named Kareth Burke who does this stuff for NBC, and she heard about it before it became a thing, and she tweeted me at halftime, like, if you're reading this, do an airplane celebration after you make your next three. Don't tell me

you did airplane. It was in Cleveland, and it hit the joint. That's amazing. A

little quick look. That's amazing. There's only one Stephen Curry. There's only one.

There will only ever be one. I'll stay out forever. That's the right joke. It's

hilarious. It's like only her knowing the ins and outs is like a beat on the team. Like, you're crying. I'm just having a blast. That's awesome. That's so

the team. Like, you're crying. I'm just having a blast. That's awesome. That's so

good.

Keep minding the game. Yeah. You said Harvey, mind that game. By the way, you see the shit that they're doing? Yeah. You see that? With the coaches? Yeah, it's

me with the coaches and shit. It's good. I liked it. Well, wait till you see what Amazon Prime's doing.

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