Stephen Curry carries himself with charismatic energy on the court. However, outside the lines that separate the hardwood and life, the Chef is a caring and compassionate human. His constant acts of kindness are well documented. And toward teammates, the hooper is willing to go to great lengths to achieve inclusion within the team. It doesn’t matter how long the stay might be, Curry will always make a place for them. It’s an enriching and uplifting experience Kelly Oubre Jr. recently shared.

Oubre Jr., a part of the Bay for just 1 season, suffered a horrific car accident last season. The entire NBA world was in shock of the ‘hit and run’ case. Kelly suffered a fractured rib, among other injuries. In the wake of it, the 2x NBA MVP shared a wholesome message to his ex-teammate. “We said a prayer before the game before we went to the court. For his time here, it was only one year, but we just pray that he has a quick recovery. He’s got a beautiful family. It’s obviously bigger than basketball,” Stephen Curry expanded.

The gesture touched the now Sixers forward, who shared the relationship he shares with the celebrated icon. “I would call him one of those ultimate heroes, right? He is Steph Curry, one. But two, he’s just like he’s a normal dude,” the 28-year-old told Paul George.

Given Curry’s stature, Kelly Oubre Jr. didn’t have much interaction with him except asking the Splash Brother “for a pediatrician when we were at Malibu”. However, when he heard the sharpshooter’s uplifting message of faith after his horror incident, it made him realize the goodness within the 36-year-old.

“You know you don’t really feel comfortable asking dudes like that about personal life things. And man, he opened his arms, he opened his city towards me,” a grateful Kelly Oubre Jr. expressed with joy.

“Steph is just one of those people who is a great human being and that made me want to be get back better, faster in a sense because I didn’t know I reached him like that when I was there to be honest with you,” the hooper expanded on Podcast P with Paul George. Among all the reasons they connected so well was their faith.

Stephen Curry has often spoken about his unwavering belief in Christ and even has his celebration inspired by it. On the other hand, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s left arm is dedicated solely to inking tattoos about his beliefs. “I formed a great relationship with him just on the God side and then also on the professional just how you work,” he explained.

How the Kelly Oubre Jr. trade shaped the future of Stephen Curry and the Warriors

Before dwelling on a backstory, it’s vital to have a reminder of history. At one point, the Warriors were the most formidable unit in the league. Equipped with a core around Durant and Curry, they made five straight finals. After the Slim Reaper’s departure, however, turbulence soon hit the Bay. Thompson suffered another major injury, and the need to remain competitive took over the front office.

The relentless approach warranted the spending of an absurd amount of money. And powered by Joe Lacob, the franchise sought Kelly Oubre Jr. as a replacement for Klay. His salary didn’t surpass even $15 million at the time. But since they didn’t send out any salaries to OKC, it came at the cost of a ballooning luxury tax bill. The hooper effectively cost them $80 million.

The agile forward had a career season with Phoenix only two seasons ago. With a 7’2″ wingspan and ravishing athleticism, his disposition seemed ideal for the Bay. The end result, though, was horrendous. Kelly Oubre Jr. was sporadic in his tenure, averaging 15.4 points per game. The Bay would miss a second consecutive postseason but left with learnings that were crucial to their future.

The front office realized hasty trades weren’t the answer. Rather, they had to cautiously build and harbor the right talent around their core. Today, apart from Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the appearance of the Warriors is almost completely different. They haven’t been to the Finals since the 2022 ring, but an encouraging system is taking its place.

In the preseason, they’ve won each of their 6 games with adequate components surrounding Stephen Curry. Also, the days of them paying lofty luxury taxes are over. This season, they will only pay $14 million in tax, remaining hard capped at the first apron.

On the other hand, Kelly Oubre Jr. is positioned to play an integral role in the revamped Philadelphia 76ers. Not only is his shooting an enticing aspect of his game, but his scintillating defense could form a threatening wing duo with Paul George by his side. As it seems, both sides have recovered well and are poised to have a bright season.