Stephen Curry Meets New Owners Today
By Marcus Thompson
Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 8:00 am in Uncategorized.
I caught up with Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, who is in Las Vegas for Team USA training camp. Curry has a good chance of making team as one of the most consistent shooters in camp. If he does, he will play in the World Championships in Turkey next month. The last Warrior to represent the U.S. was Chris Mullin on the Dream Team.
I got his opinion on various Warriors topics. He did say he is supposed to meet with new owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber on Friday at a Team USA function. He said he hasn’t heard from them yet, but looks forward to talking with him. Tried to find out if he would suggest any front-office moves, but he wouldn’t bite. Anyway, Curry’s take on a few things …
How is the Team USA experience so far?
A lot of fun. The talent out here is ridiculous. I’m just trying to find what my role is and learn the system on the go. It’s a great experience. They need somebody who can shoot the ball, so I’m going to try to provide that.
Are you more confident you can make the team after a few days of camp?
I came out here with the expectation of making the team, so I am not more confident. I didn’t come out here with the mindset of I’ma practice for a few days and then see you later.
What do you think about the Warriors’ continued problems with injuries?
I don’t know what to say about the curse of the logo, man. It’s kind of crazy. David Lee’s first practice as a Warrior, he gets hurt. Thankfully his won’t last until training camp or anything. I think it definitely hurts to have Ekpe out for so long, especially with it being his first year. But I think we’ll be all right once we figure out all the pieces that are left to fill our roster.
What do you say to fans worried you might get hurt playing internationally?
Anytime you suit up, even if I’m working out, there’s going to be a risk. I guess it is more of a risk if I’m overseas playing full-competition games in the summer time. But I think the risk is definitely worth it just based on what I’m going to get out of it, playing at this level in the summer time instead of just working out. So I would tell everybody I think I’m going to be a lot better player. I’m taking care of my body. I’m not an above-the-rim guy anyway. You don’t get hurt on the 3-point line.
What do you think of the moves your team has made?
I kind of have two separate emotions. You see all these moves with guys that I’ve built relationships with this year. We’ve had our ups-and-downs together through such a long year, especially all the young guys. To see C.J. and Morrow, Ronny and Randolph and all those guys leave, it’s kind of tough. On the other side, you add David Lee, an All-Star who will definitely help our team out. Dorell Wright can guard the three spot like we didn’t have last year at all. So I’m happy that we’re trying to make moves to get our team in the right spot. I know they had a lot of expectations to sign C.J. and Ant back. But it was one of those things where they deserved a lot of money and they got it.
You more confident you and Monta can succeed as backcourt?
Definitely. We had our ups and downs this year trying to play together. I told him before we left that the chemistry we had toward the end of the year was solid and hopefully the summer doesn’t kill that. Adding David Lee as another threat to our starting lineup will hopefully get us where we want to be. Monta, we all know how talented he is and how much he wants to win. So as long as we all come back healthy and ready in training camp, I think we’ll be fine.
Feeling the pressure of being the franchise guy yet?
I’m just going out there playing and whatever my role is on the team, I’m going to take it. It’s not me trying to be the man on the team or trying to be the face of the Warriors or anything like that. It takes more than one person to win. I know there were a lot of talks that I was the only one that wasn’t up to be traded or anything like that, which may be true. But that is not going to last if come into training camp behind. even the last thing on my mind. I’m just going out there to play with the lineup we have and do what I do.
What do you think of the new owners?
For them to spend that much money on the franchise means they’re dedicated. Hopefully they’ve got more in the tank, that they have ideas and a direction for where they want to go with the team. It’s a lot to spend $450 million on a team. Hopefully, they’re involved and real personable with the team. I think they have some experience — with Lacob being part of the Celtics — and they understand that how great a fan base the Bay Area is and what kind of team and market we can have if everything falls into place. So I’m looking forward to meeting them and seeing what kind of direction they have for us.
In five years, we’ll make (their money) back for them. Watch.