Stephen Curry opens up about a 2013 playoff incident where a fan’s disrespectful remark about his wife Ayesha led him to snap back.
Stephen Curry recently opened up about a rare moment where a fan’s disrespectful comment about his wife, Ayesha Curry, pushed him to snap back. On his “Heat Check” podcast, co-hosted with his father, Dell Curry, Steph detailed an incident from the 2013 Western Conference playoff opening round against the Denver Nuggets that still stands out to him.
I”‘ve only had, like, two interactions with an actual fan where I felt like over the line, disrespected or whatever the case was. One was in Denver after Game 5 in 2013, I believe it was that series.”
“We lost, and I was walking into the tunnel and somebody said something about Ayesha. And I snapped back. I was like, ‘Say it to my face,’ and I went back to him and started pointing at him, and then some people grabbed me.”
“Because after we lost, I was already on edge and he said something about Ayesha. So I was like, ‘All right, I’ve got to turn around and say something.’ He kind of like kind of froze up. Carl Landry stole his towel. It was phenomenal.”
Curry recounted that after a tough Game 5 loss, he was heading into the tunnel when a fan made a derogatory remark about Ayesha. Already on edge from the loss, Curry couldn’t let it slide. When Curry snapped, the fan froze, and teammate Carl Landry even intervened humorously by stealing the fan’s towel.
At the time, Curry had only briefly mentioned the incident, saying the fan “said something stupid” and he “told him to shut up.” Now, Curry has revealed the personal nature of the comment and how it pushed him to react.
Despite the altercation, Curry channeled his frustration productively. The Warriors went on to win Game 6, with Curry leading the team with 22 points, propelling them to the Western Conference semifinals. His father, Dell, noted how such fan interactions can either detract from or fuel a player’s performance, depending on how they choose to handle it.
Curry’s experience serves as a reminder of the impact that personal attacks can have on athletes and underscores the importance of respecting players and their families.
Stephen Curry Would Never Have Been Drafted To The Warriors If His Father Got His Wish
Stephen Curry almost never became the face of the Golden State Warriors. Leading up to the 2009 NBA Draft, Curry had strong preferences for where he wanted to start his professional career, with the New York Knicks at the top of his list. His father, Dell Curry, did everything in his power to steer him away from the Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On draft day, Dell Curry received a call from then-Warriors coach Don Nelson, who expressed interest in drafting Steph with the seventh overall pick. Dell candidly told Nelson that they preferred Steph to land in New York. Despite Dell’s attempt to dissuade Nelson, the Warriors decided to draft Steph anyway.
Similarly, Dell also received a call from the Timberwolves, who held the fifth and sixth picks. Dell implored them not to draft his son, and they heeded his request, selecting Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn instead. This decision left Steph available for the Warriors at the seventh pick, while the Knicks, who had the eighth pick, missed out on their chance to draft Curry and instead selected Jordan Hill.
At the time, Steph was disappointed as he had his heart set on playing for the Knicks. However, the turn of events proved to be a blessing in disguise. Since joining the Warriors, Curry has transformed the franchise, leading them to four NBA championships and earning two MVP awards.
His partnership with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green has been instrumental in creating one of the most dominant dynasties in NBA history.
Reflecting on his journey, Curry has no regrets. The Knicks have struggled with front-office issues and have not won a championship since Curry entered the league, whereas Curry’s tenure with the Warriors has changed the NBA forever.
This story serves as a reminder that sometimes, what we desire isn’t always what is best for us. For Curry, the allure of New York’s bright lights pales in comparison to the legacy he has built with the Warriors. The decision to ignore Dell’s plea that night not only shaped Curry’s illustrious career but also revitalized the Warriors’ franchise.
