By TIM DAVID HARVEY
Twas just a couple of nights before Christmas and all through the house two creatures where stirring. That's the kind of thing that happened on those road tripping, nineties nights where the Curry household would be awaiting the return of the man of the house just in time for Christmas. Maybe young Seth is on the console, playing the latest NBA Live as his proud pop on the CPU, hitting three pointer after three pointer that's also getting nailed outside as young Stephen shoots at the hoop above the garage, emulating his father with a commentators voice-over in his head as company. These kids will do this all night, until their mother calls Stephen to come inside and Seth to shut off that game, not because it's bedtime, but because daddy's on T.V. From the teal of the Charlotte Hornets to the cold of Canada's Toronto Raptors, Dell Curry crafted quite the career beyond the three point arc as a Cavalier in Cleveland, making Jazz in Utah and earning Bucks in Milwaukee. Dell's first name may be a little old-school for this iPad generation, but like a computer this man was amazingly automatic from 3. Now giving the NBA a pure shooting trifecta for the ages, he'll be as proud as punch to see his boy Seth Curry earn himself an NBA contract with former Vancouver team the Memphis Grizzlies just in time for Christmas. Now as for his other son...that's a whole different matter all together.
With the hierarchy of the NBA becoming as powerful and predicable as the alpha-dog of LeBron James and with Kobe Bryant's legendary years coming to a close like the dying era of the big man, NBA fans need that extra guy to root for. A player that shows this league is more than just Point Guards and slashers. A guy that reminds you of the golden era of the 90's and even his dad, just tuned and turned up to an on fire NBA Jam level just without the dunk and over-sized head. So hot like the human torch of the 'Fantastic Four' you can't help but marvel at this terrific three flame thrower. As hot as his second-name and the man that brought him into this world, when it comes to the three-point shot Stephen Curry can take anybody out. Talent doesn't skip a generation here, it just gets purer in its shot. Any critic or opponent that doubts is in for a baptism of fire. This is a guy that could shoot Ray Allen into retirement. Forget about a competition at All-Star weekend, Stephen Curry wins contests every night. Those cocky celebrations are warranted. It hasn't looked this confident since Larry Bird didn't even take off his warm-ups. It hasn't been this clutch since Reggie Miller. From Madison Square Garden to the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco all hoop-heads want to flock to the other side of the bridge to Oakland see this kid. In Golden State it hasn't looked this Californian bright since Baron Davis dunked over Andrei Kirlienko and the Utah Jazz's upset playoff hopes, or since Run TMC hit the billboards to the tune of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond (a curly haired young Steph once sat next to the Rock on his dads lap courtside) and Chris Mullin (no stranger to downtown himself). Now it doesn't matter about Monta Ellis or any of the other eras that didn't quite pan out in a flash. It's looking as good in 'The City' as those tram throwbacks or Rick Barry's shot at the spotlight, without the awkward granny style.
With a true Warrior leading them into battle this baby-faced assassin is ready to make things truly Golden in this state. With promising young power talent like hash-tag bredrin Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes and proven veterans like former young-gun great Jermaine O'Neal this team is stacked with stats. With big talents Andrew Bogut and David Lee leading the way in the frontcourt and Andre Iguodola finishing the breaks that Steph makes with a number one, bullet dunk this Western powerhouse can truly contend. Even with the ageing but amazing San Antonio Spurs, this team can make it to the final dance and not just because it's what a Rick Fox says. Miami and San Antonio fans aside, it's thought that we may have an all blue and gold Golden State Warriors/Indiana Pacers final. Who would have thought that just a couple of seasons again? Now the two most improving and surprising teams could give the National Basketball Association a brand, new era of needed refreshment. That's how strong Steph Curry's super shot is. With all guns blazing he can make these G.S.W's find their mark past the postseason and into the Finals fortunes. This number 30 could really be the next 30 for 30 documentary maker from ESPN to NBA TV highlights that are making his arc of triumphs as exciting as the most damaging dunks. Even the LeBron show takes an aside and this is a man whose throwing down lob passes on Christmas like next years December 25th came early. As for Curry, he's got more under the tree too, especially in the rebounds, assists and steals categories. He's a completer player, but it's that shooting that touches home. From the near perfect free throws (a 2011 NBA season leader) to those from outside the arc that look as effortless as if they where being shot unguarded from the charity stripe. Even those pesky long sleeve jerseys can't hinder this mans range. No complaints he just roles them up and goes to work and it all looks as good as the massive center circle logo that adorns the jersey of a man who will one day belong in the rafters with the banners he hopes to raise.
272 that's the benchmark right now. The NBA record for most three-pointers in a season that Stephen Curry recorded just this last year. Who knows what's next this season and beyond for the man who only has himself to beat? If a team wants to live and die by the three then they can count their life on Curry. He'll burn other teams like his meals namesake the morning after, for a different kind of hangover like those sinful 7 teams that it took to pick him in the 2009 draft. It all seems like yesterday he was here but this 25 year old has brought the winds of change to the NBA each time he tussles the twine and his opponents hair like his shot and shimmy. Back in his collegiate career when it came to points this guy was second only to Kevin Durant. Now today in this league of their own it's up for debate whether this is the case now, or point in fact whether this 'can't miss kid' is that close to the King. If anyone's throwing rocks at the throne, it should be the man with the best arm. When it comes to the Mecca of Basketball, he trails only the greatest Michael Jordan and next best Kobe Bryant in points against the Knicks as his 54 points included 11 three-pointers for the third-best record amount of outside shots. Coach and N.Y.C born and 'Bocker bred Mark Jackson couldn't be prouder, he knew what it was like to play this kid as an actual child. With all these accomplishments it certainly more than lives up to the great player his proud father was and is certainly something that would be hard for anyone to look up to. Who knows what it'll be like if this Curry births some more Basketball kids. Still, the other Curry sports players in this family know how to handle the ball too, like volleyball sister spiker Sydel and mother Sonya Curry. Youngest Seth Curry is a great player in his own right with his own shot, despite his Golden State time not making the brotherly connection last like the Smith's in New York, like the J. Collins twins periods of separation. It was in college where this kid made his mark at Duke, honoring his brother with the number 30, but making his own name above that known and proud.
He earned his redshirt for the Blue Devils when top Point Kyrie Irving went out with an injury. Guarding his position Seth stepped it up to the tune of 17 points in just over 20 minutes on over 50% shooting. Following those 22 minutes he recorded another 22 points games later, before upping his career high to 31 against Santa Clara. Obviously a guy that can fill it up quickly like a gas station attendant this guy had the fire to gain a road-stop contract this August with the Golden State Warriors off his own name and not his brothers. Still, with no guarantees the kid was waived and his future didn't pan out like J.R's brother Chris. He still logged some time as a Warrior, a Santa Cruz one in the D-League where statistical outputs of 21.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.58 steals. A good enough 12 game development for the Memphis Grizzlies to claw him away this December 1st. Now who knows what's next, maybe he'll make those Golden State Warriors regret them letting him go. Maybe a few nice match-ups with big bro for family to watch or in a Basketball God's dream perhaps a team-up reunion for the ultimate splash brothers. Now that would be as sweet as their shot because like their volleyball girls, these Curry boys know Basketball. Let's get them back together. Still, right now in the Curry house it's Stephen that's the strongest, but all of this came from his fathers handed down recipe of success. Wardell Stephen Curry the second shares more with his three tiered father than his actual name. As young Curry took Stephen as his government, his dad-who shortened his moniker to Dell-made his name from long-range, long before his kid hit his first winning shot. A range that seems born in a bond of pure blood. Just to think it began with a broken wrist. Forced to shoot with one hand instead of two, Curry's shooting form was confirmed correct with a snipers accuracy. The kind of accuracy that took him from no three-point line during his college time at Virginia Tech to so many triples he once became the NBA's Sixth Man Of The Year as well as it's 3 point percentage leader.
Who wouldn't want to bring this top soaring, scorching, scoring marksman off the bench for a real hot streaking Vinnie Johnson "microwave" nuclear ignition? The kind of off the pine onto the hardwood proud player who inspired the like of clutch king Robert Horry, King Bobby Jackson and jet fueled Jason Terry. It was his on-point precision shot that made him this much of an option and it's the bread with extra butter that gave him a career and a food on table life to a family that continues with the ball handling careers of all the hot-handed Curry siblings. The same soft safe, offensive hands that where a lock and steal on defense. Curry has the second all time total points for V-Tech and would probably have more and even lead if the three point range was accounted for. Lead, like he does with all time steals for his alma-mater, earning his place in Virginia's sports Hall Of Fame. The kind of palm power that piloted his and his sons career to the ranks of being more than just about that one shot that takes them to the big time. Still, when clutch comes to clutch it's all about the three and how much more it was for these two-guards. It's little wonder that career Charlotte Hornets legend Dell stepped down from his Bobcats Assistant Coaching job to attend more of his sons games. This was more than just pride and support. This father wanted to see history in the making in one of the best players and shots this league has ever seen. Something he couldn't see in himself when he was too busy actually doing it and putting in work downtown in any city he represented that even precious time with his kids was taken away. It's all made up for now though in something from himself that he can now see in his first-born and his first-rate career first hand. His legend that his son makes in the legacy of his own career. It doesn't get much prouder or honorable than that. This Christmas the oldest Curry will be called in to stop what he's doing to watch both his boys play the game on the same television they idolized their father growing up. This is no computer game and even though the basket outside collects snow and ice this fall there's no rust, because in the Curry house hoops are still hot.
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