Celebrations after hitting jaw-dropping shots have become classic moments in the world of professional basketball. An example of this celebration that has lately gained popularity is Stephen Curry‘s “Night Night” gesture. However, a former Minnesota Timberwolves player has backed a claim that he was the original creator of this now-famous move.

The Lakers forward has a video of him doing the celebration 440 days before Stephen Curry. Due to this, there is a debate going on among the fans as to who is the originator of this famous move.

Who performed the night night celebration first?

Golden State Warriors‘ Steph Curry pushed the “Night Night” celebration to prominence throughout his team’s historic trip to the 2022 NBA Finals. By beating the Boston Celtics, the Warriors won their fourth championship in the “big three” era. His international recognition and the immense popularity of the team certainly led to this celebration becoming viral. Although Taurean Prince claims to be the player who popularized the “Night Night” gesture.

According to the X (Twitter) user, @AllThingsWolves, Taurean Prince, an ex-Timberwolves player, is the originator of the “Night Night” celebration. In a recent comment, Prince said, “They know lol, don’t be fooled“. His comment raises important concerns regarding the origins and popularity of celebratory acts in the NBA.

The NBA’s ownership of celebrating antics has long been a source of controversy. The claim of the Taurean Prince emphasizes the complicated nature of the situation. While Curry undeniably promoted the “Night Night” celebration on a global scale, Prince claims he was the one who began it. It raises issues about how much credit athletes should deserve for developing or popularizing various celebrations. And?particularly since they may not have the same degree of exposure as superstars like Curry.

Taurean Prince gets a larger stage to perform

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed veteran forward Taurean Prince to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. Prince, famous for his 3-and-D abilities, will wear jersey No. 12 and reconnect with Lakers coach Darvin Ham, who coached him with the Atlanta Hawks in his early career. Despite switching clubs in recent years, Prince remains a productive player, averaging 9.1 points and shooting 46.7% for Timberwolves last season. He adds flexibility and the ability to guard numerous positions at 6-foot-7 and 218 pounds. This makes him a useful addition to the Lakers’ frontcourt alongside talents like LeBron James.

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This decision gives Prince a platform to exhibit his celebrations to a far broader audience. However, it would be intriguing to see whether he can build a new celebration tradition with the Lakers; adding to the debate about the origin and ownership of classic NBA gestures. Taurean Prince’s assertion that he created this practice, on the other hand, adds a fascinating aspect to the history of NBA celebrations. While Curry’s global fame undoubtedly contributed to the celebration’s success, Prince’s remark reflects the delicate debate about ownership in the realm of professional basketball.

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