On the other side of the world, Steph Curry has found a unique way to inspire the next generation of basketball.
Recently, Warriors legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Chris Mullin spoke at a youth basketball camp in New York City about the value of a work ethic and shared a fascinating anecdote about Curry’s determination to turn his terrible start to the 2024 Paris Olympics around.
“The first four games of the Olympics were not typical for Steph Curry,” Mullin told a group of camp participants in a video shared by The Program NYC on Instagram. “He hit 5 of 20 three-pointers and averaged about seven points per game.”
“In the last two games he has made 17 three-pointers and scored 60 points.”
Curry’s initial difficulties in Paris were notable, such as his 3-point performance against South Sudan.
After beginning his Olympic career with four dismal performances, Curry managed to deliver two legendary consecutive performances that ultimately led the U.S. team to the gold medal.
But it was what Curry did between the semifinals and the final that Mullin paid attention to and emphasized in his lesson to the young players in attendance.
“The reason I say that is because a friend of mine went to their practices,” Mullin added.
“The last two games, the shootarounds were optional, meaning you didn’t have to go if you didn’t want to. A few people came, one of them was Steph Curry.”
At a time when he couldn’t find his rhythm, Curry gambled, in front of few spectators, that his unmatched work ethic would lead him back to old habits.
It worked.
“My buddy texted me, ‘I’m at shootaround and there are three guys here. Two are shooting free throws; Steph is just about to get a real workout in for an hour and a half,'” Mullin concluded.
“That was before the Serbia game, where he made nine three-pointers. And then he did the same thing in between during the France game.”
Mullin is also a true admirer of Curry’s skills and hopes the story behind the chef’s remarkable turnaround at the Olympics will inspire a similar work ethic in the sport’s young players for decades to come.
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