At 6-foot-three-inches and weighing 185 pounds, Stephen Curry was dismissed as an undersized guard with a built that is not athletic enough and incapable of defense.
But every time he sets his foot on the court, he makes the unbelievers believe that he has what it takes to be a champion. Indeed, Stephen Curry, carried the Golden State Warriors through its first NBA Finals championship in 40 years and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2014-2015 season.
For all his accomplishments, Curry points to the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who deserves all the honor.
Related: Step Into Stephen Curry's Shoes Because 'He Can Do All Things Through Christ'
Curry's signature ritual after every shot is to pound his chest twice and points in the sky signifying his "Heart for God". This is a gesture that not only is a personal reminder for him to remain humble in the midst of the great talent God has blessed him with, but also lets everyone who watches him play know who he serves and why he plays the game.
In February this year, Curry teamed up with maker of performance footwear, apparel and equipment, Under Armor, to launch his first signature shoe, the Curry One, representing his personal motto and mantra in every game, Philippians 4:13. 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
"It represents a Bible verse I wear on my shoe. It's also my mantra, how I get up for games and why I play the way I do," Curry said during the launch of his shoes.
The devout Christian Curry said his shoe represents the struggles he went through and his journey in the NBA. He was nearly written off even before his career was allowed to take off because of recurring ankle injuries. Curry One also represents the sacrifices he made as well as his ministry and his faith in God.
"It's part of my DNA, who I am," Curry said. "To have that come out in my vision for my first shoe is special."
Dave Dombrow, VP and Creative Director, Footwear, Under Armour, commented, "The Curry One represents Stephen's journey and the legacy he is building that is inspiring and motivating the next generation of basketball players. Through hard work and self-conviction, Stephen willed himself into becoming one of the game's best players."
Curry One Innovation
The Curry One's technology is engineered for the game's most "unguardable" player. Two new innovations, Charged Cushioning and Anafoam, provide Stephen with performance benefits that his game demands.
Charged Cushioning: The ultimate advancement in energy. The new cushioning system absorbs impact and converts it into a responsive burst to give your first step and change of direction unmatched explosiveness.
Anafoam: After studying a pressure map of the foot to identify where to distribute support, EVA foam and mesh were molded together to anatomically fit essential pressure points.
Additional performance benefits include:
- An external heel counter that eliminates sliding and keeps your foot locked in place.
- A midfoot TPU shank underfoot for maximum stability.
- A multi-directional herringbone outsole delivering superior traction and control.
- A padded mesh tongue with synthetic suede offering protection and increased breathability.
Curry's strong devotion to his faith was very evident even after accomplishing one of the biggest achievements in basketball. Shortly after winning the NBA Finals, Curry knew that there is a much bigger trophy awaiting him. When accepting the trophy, he made sure that everyone knows that all the glory belongs to God, reported Charisma News.
He commented, "I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson (College) that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory.
"God's given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me the opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that's something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top.
"There's more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that's Christ living inside of me."
For his shirt, Curry wears Active Faith sports apparel with the print, "In Jesus name I play."
Indeed, in the most important game called life, Jesus hands is guiding Curry to hit those goals.
