“Rising in the face of adversity,” is probably a sentence Stephen Curry will relate to the most. Why, you ask? Well, the NBA, or more specifically referees haven’t exactly been too kind to him, have they? Amid countless instances of what many deemed as lackluster intervention from in-game officials, the Golden State Warriors‘ game vs the Memphis Grizzlies served as another example of the supposed bias. And, let us tell you. Not only did Stephen Curry answer with a scintillating performance, but he also made sure his voice was heard later on. But before we tell you about that…

The controversy reared its head on Wednesday when Curry drove hard to the rim for a layup, while Ja Morant attempted to resist, resulting in a contact that sent the veteran stumbling. Surprisingly, no foul was called. Unfortunately, this is not even the first time something similar has happened.

However, after torching Memphis for 52 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals—a historic stat line only a handful of NBA legends have ever matched—Curry was asked post-game about his ability to stay locked in despite the lack of foul calls in a post-game interview with Warriors broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike.

The interviewer asked, “I always say you’re the most mentally tough player in the NBA. Because of the lack of a whistle…whatever you want to call it. But what’s it like in a game like this where you’re playing this well. It seems like there’s a lot of contact happening. How do you just avoid being frustrated and continue to play like you do time and time again?”

His response was as composed as his pull-up three:

“It’s my reality. I’ve been in this situation for a long time. It’s like a playoff game. You have to adjust to how the game is being called. You can have a reaction, but you don’t want to let it distract you from the task. So I think trying to stay as even-keeled as possible. That doesn’t mean you’re passive or giving in to it. You’re kind of fighting through it and not looking to get bailed out, even though you feel like it’s not going your way,” he said.

That, in a nutshell, is the essence of what Curry’s mindset is. The man never flops, never begs for calls, just plays through it. That never-relenting mentality is what has kept him on top for over a decade, even as refs continue to swallow their whistles whenever he is in the lane and gets hacked.

This isn’t a new issue.

Questions about dubious officiating have plagued Curry for years, including in cases when big moments of his career have been overshadowed by controversial calls—or the absence of them. 2016 NBA Finals, Game 6: Curry fouled out and let loose his mouthpiece in the direction of the crowd. The NBA had fined him $25,000, but the message they conveyed was clear: even the league’s best shooter isn’t treated like a superstar at the line.

A critical last-second foul on the Warriors against the Rockets cost them a win in the December 2024 NBA Cup Quarterfinals. Steve Kerr called the call as being ‘unconscionable.’ But Curry simply does not allow bad officiating to influence his play.

The Battle That Never Ends

This was another chapter in this saga as the Warriors defeated Memphis. The reporter noted that despite Curry sinking all eight of his free throws, it could have easily been 16-for-16, with the level of contact he had taken. But, as expected, Curry shrugged it off and focused on what he could influence: His own play-making.

It didn’t mean the game lacked its fiery moments. Desmond Bane stole the ball away from Curry during a timeout near the end of the fourth quarter as the Golden State star was taking a practice shot. There was a brief exchange between the two before things were smoothed over post-game. But it was another reminder that the body of work Curry has put up night in and night out requires more added physicality than he has to give.

For most players, that level of frustration would boil over. For Curry, it’s just part of the game.

Steph’s greatness is this attitude. The art of ‘foul-baiting,’ flailing into defenders to draw easy whistles, is too much of an art today for plenty of elite scorers to not master. On the other hand, Curry has earned his legacy through skill, simply relying on his efficiency and movement.

The downside? He has rarely been given the benefit of the doubt. The upside? He’s in there, performing—the 52-point master class against Memphis—breaking records, winning his team crucial games.

The Warriors claim the fifth seed in the Western Conference and are poised for a taste of the playoffs. If Stephen Curry continues his play like this, no superhero stunts will prevent them from making a deep run.

Whether he gets the whistle or not, ‘Chef Curry’ is always going to let his game do the speaking.