For 3 many years we’ve coated many wonderful basketball characters, however some stand above the remainder—not solely due to their on-court expertise (although these are at all times related), however due to how they influenced and proceed to affect basketball tradition, and thus influenced SLAM. In the meantime, SLAM has additionally modified these gamers’ lives in numerous methods, as we’ve documented their careers with traditional covers, legendary images, wonderful tales, compelling movies and extra.
We compiled a bunch of people (programming observe: 30 entries, not 30 individuals complete) who imply one thing particular to SLAM and to our viewers. Learn the full list here and order your copy of SLAM 248, the place this listing was initially printed, here.
Freshman 12 months at Davidson had simply concluded. Stephen Curry was nonetheless Dell’s son. Now, Dell is Stephen’s dad. But it surely took a minute for individuals to make the change. Proper after his first 12 months as a Wildcat, Stephen did a photograph shoot and interview for SLAM 109. It was the difficulty that got here out in July 2007. With just a bit trace of a mustache, the younger Curry appeared up at our digicam. His grey Davidson sweatsuit was unfastened on his 6-1 body.
“It’s honor to have Dell Curry as my dad and to have his identify, however I’m attempting to make a reputation for myself,” Stephen instructed SLAM.
What was good with the basketballs that he effortlessly rifled into the ring from lengthy distance? Had been they really crystal balls? Had been they seeing stones into the longer term? As a result of he did it. He made a reputation for himself.
Now the world is aware of Stephen Curry as the best shooter ever and probably the most iconic gamers in League historical past. We right here at SLAM know him because the star of 11 covers. We all know him because the participant in numerous interviews with us. We all know him because the voice printed in our tales and talking in our movies. We all know him as a beneficiant accomplice, as any person who has given us his time, despite the fact that he doesn’t have a ton of it to present.
He spends most of that point breaking after which setting the report for many profession three-pointers ever made. For actual, although: That report will get damaged after which re-set in each recreation he performs. Then he spends a few of it successful championships. Then he spends a few of it giving again to the group. Then he spends a few of it as one of many only a few individuals with their very own sneaker firm. After which, fortunately, he spends a few of it with us.
A superb instance of his time being spent with us is the quilt of SLAM 219. Numero 30 was already three championships deep when he invited 150 youngsters from round Oakland to hitch him on that cowl. Different highlights from that day in 2018 embody the truth that he debuted the Curry 6 with us, that he additionally wished E-40, Andre Ward and the legendary Al Attles to be a part of the shoot, and that he wore a pair of shorts paying homage to the “We Consider” Warriors. It was an ideal day. These youngsters acquired a reminiscence they’ll always remember. Longtime SLAM photographer Atiba Jefferson acquired a picture we’ll always remember.
All through these final 16-plus years, we prefer to assume we perceive him. The world is aware of him pretty properly, however we all know just a few completely different components of him slightly bit higher.
We all know him to be a deeply passionate fan of excellent basketball; of setting screens, speaking on protection and giving out excessive fives. We all know him to be a scarily intense competitor. We all know him to be romantic in regards to the recreation. We all know him to be a storyteller—his footwear has developed into the equal of his life’s work. Totally different colorways proceed to let him share what he finds significant with out ever saying a phrase.
And when he does say phrases, he says issues like this that additional his romantic beliefs in regards to the recreation:
“There may be room in my thoughts and spirit for extra creativeness,” Curry instructed us in KICKS 25. “Extra self-expression, extra moments the place individuals see a unique aspect of you as a result of yearly is so completely different. The challenges are completely different. It requires extra of you, and that brings out the completely different reactions, completely different types of self-expression and presence on the courtroom. However the thriller of what that’s and the unknown is what makes it so dope and a lot enjoyable. I don’t know what that’s gonna appear like, however I’m going to maintain residing it.
“You recognize, what occurred this 12 months and our journey to win a championship, all of the accolades that I acquired, the night time, night time stuff, all that stuff I had no concept was going to be taking place, however I fell in love with the journey and all that stuff takes care of itself. So now the problem is to keep up that vitality, preserve that perspective, return to the drafting board and attempt to proceed to be the perfect model of your self. Since you’re by no means, ever full.”
Featured picture by way of Getty. Portrait by Atiba Jefferson.
