The NBA OGs engineered a fitting ending, winning the All-Star game. But the crowd deafened the arena for one man who became the protagonist for the second time in his career. With the Bay’s lights shining upon him, Stephen Curry won the All-Star tournament’s MVP honors as the crowd roared wildly upon his name being called by Kevin Hart.
Least to say, the showman within Curry was unleashed at the Oracle tonight. During the final game, the Chef cooked the most delicious meal you got at the Chase Center. Running threes, a 60 ft bomb, and the iconic look away all had even the OGs up on their feet. “It’s our responsibility to come out here and put on a show,” the 36-year-old stated. Yet, he cooked some more, and, how.
But for Curry, the arena held greater significance. Having hoisted three championships in Oakland, being back where it all started made him “really emotional”. The opportunity to pay homage to the city is undoubtedly what Curry wanted to do. But not before he could gather the memories one last time, as The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson witnessed. Not only was he front and center during the weekend, but Stephen Curry draped the curtains for the weekend with his blistering shooting display.
That’s how much the Oracle means to him and the Warriors. The two-time MVP sees it as a symbol of the franchise’s rise to the top. While the All-Star game was an unforgettable experience, Curry hopes to return to the Oracle, one more time, as he approaches retirement.
“I’ve been back a couple times before, but not with a crowd, and not with a basketball floor on. On the ground and being able to kind of reminisce, and it was very special for sure. I know there’s a lot of talking, like we should play a game there. I like that idea. But Oracle holds a special place in my heart and a lot of fans have been a part of this journey, too. So it was, it was really cool,” Stephen Curry said about the arena.
Stephen Curry and the Warriors are on the clock
Curry hasn’t shied away from speaking about the remainder of his illustrious career. He knows it’s short. Playing at the Oracle let him reminisce about the dynasty days. It brought back the sensations. Now, it’s up to him and the Warriors to carry that inspiration during the regular season.
Stephen Curry has spoken about wanting to leave on his own terms. Those terms are his craving to remain competitive. That’s the way he envisions a fitting end to his illustrious career. And the onus is upon him and the Golden State Warriors.
Since the trade for Jimmy Butler, the Bay experienced a transformation. Their grit and toughness have surged. Most importantly, though, smiles are back on their faces. Although 3-1 in this stretch, a sizeable chunk of the work remains undone. One game only separates the Warriors from being outside the Play-In Tournament.
It’s well known that Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and now, even Butler, are committed to a three-year window. So there’s no time to waste. Gaining momentum and climbing up the standings once the season resumes must be the topmost priority for Kerr and the Warriors. With the likes of Kuminga also nearing their return, the team does hoard the firepower to stun the elite sides.
As for one last dance at the Oracle, given his impact, maybe Adam Silver allows an arrangement during what would be Curry’s final season. The crowd in Oakland deserves it. More than that, the man who represented the Bay Area and set the benchmark for basketball greatness, Stephen Curry deserves to have one last glance at the spirited Oracle crowd.