One of the most incredible performances of Stephen Curry’s career was preceded by a legendary speech, per a terrific report by Marcus Thompson and Shams Charania in The Athletic.
Unable to sleep after the Warriors’ shocking and disappointing Game 6 loss at home, Curry exchanged texts with Draymond Green in the wee hours of Saturday morning, telling his longtime teammate that he wanted to address the team, a rarity.
“I don’t even talk a lot,” Curry said to the team per The Athletic, “but I’ve got something to say.”
The speech apparently had quite the impact. Andrew Wiggins said it gave him “chills.” Here’s an overview of what he said, per Thompson and Charania:
According to multiple sources in the private session, Curry told the team he believed in them, that they had enough to win. He asked for their trust in return. He assured them he could deliver victory if they all bought in. He implored them to put all of their feelings aside — which sources with knowledge of the locker room felt was messaging directed at Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and other guys who might’ve been unhappy for reasons such as playing time and role — and lock in to the unified mission. 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. With his game, his faith, their solidarity, they’d win.
And deliver he did. Curry scored 50 points, the first time that has ever happened in NBA history. The Warriors completely shut the door on the Kings in the second half, playing excellent defense and not turning the ball over on the other end. It was certainly the most focused the group looked during the see-saw seven game series, and it’s clear the Warriors believe Steph’s speech had something to do with that.
“Once he did that, you have no choice but to rise up,” Green said. “He f—ing got everybody locked in.”
