NBA Rumors: Lakers-Irving pulse check, Steph’s stirring soapbox speech, and the best-kept center secret in the league
By Kristen Wong
NBA Rumors: Steph Curry gave a speech — and performance — for the ages before Warriors-Kings Game 7
Shooters shoot and talkers talk, and in Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings, Steph Curry did both.
Naturally, Curry did most of the talking on the court with his 50-burger to send the Golden State Warriors into the second round of the playoffs. But he also used his words to fire up his team the day before the game, delivering what his teammates called “the greatest speech of his career.”
On Saturday, Curry stood before the team in the Warriors stadium with something to say. His team was all ears.
According to sources from The Athletic, Curry assured the Warriors he could deliver, but only if the rest of the team got on board.
"Anyone who wanted to remain in their emotions, he told them to stay home. Anyone who was ready for their vacation, he told them not to get on the bus for Sacramento. But anyone who did get on the bus, Curry took that as a signature of approval, a binding agreement to be on board with the mission. And if they did that, if they got on the bus, he promised he’d deliver."
After Game 7’s victory, his teammates reflected on Curry’s greatness on the court and in that room in Chase Center, when Curry got on a soapbox and set the Warriors on course for another NBA championship run.
Andrew Wiggins said of the speech, “It gave me chills. No. 30, he’s different, man.”
Gary Payton said, “He is that guy, When he speaks, everybody better listen. Because 30 is usually quiet and lets his game speak for itself.”
Curry’s dagger threes are usually mic drops in themselves, but this time, he dropped the mic in more ways than one.