He was just a kid, chasing a dream he didn’t even know he had. In the backyard of their Charlotte home, Stephen Curry and his younger brother Seth battled it out on the family’s worn-down hoop. They were just playing: laughing, competing, imitating their dad like most kids do. But fate had bigger plans. Both brothers would one day make it to the NBA. And Steph? He wouldn’t just follow in his father’s footsteps, he’d redefine the game. Yet, no matter how bright the lights shine in the Bay Area, his heart never drifts far from Charlotte. He carries it with him, always.

There is a popular saying that goes: “You take the man out of the city, but never the city out of the man.” This is also the perfect description of what the Baby-Faced Assassin and his connection with North Carolina feels like. He went back to Spectrum Center on Monday to battle it out against his brother and emerged victorious. The Charlotte Hornets took their 46th loss while the Golden State Warriors continued their winning spree with a 32nd win of the season.

Warriors star Stephen Curry explains emotional attachment to hometown

Curry recorded a double-double for the Warriors, tallying 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 10 assists, before addressing the media postgame. A shining, smiling Stephen Curry is a sight to behold, but most importantly he had some kind words for his rivals and the city he grew up in.

“You know, deep down, I’m always rooting for the Hornets and the Panthers. To see Charlotte, you know, get excited. To have, as you said, something to look forward to and, you know, rally around,” the 36-year-old told the media. It’s well-known that Stephen Curry supports the Charlotte Panthers. Moreover, viral clips show him donning their jersey and cheering through the team’s ups and downs.

He further added: “I think going into the year, they had high hopes. And no, injuries have kinda been tough. They have some guys and some talent. Take a perspective of how they wanna build. Obviously, a new ownership. So I’m hoping that they can turn around for sure. The city deserves it for sure.” Undoubtedly, injuries have plagued the Hornets this season. From Grant Williams’ season-ending ACL tear to LaMelo Ball’s prolonged absence, things haven’t been great for the Hornets.

Meanwhile, the 13th seed of the Eastern Conference is adjusting to the new system under new owners Gabe Plotkin and Rich Schnall. They took over the ownership from Michael Jordan’s 13-year run in 2023. He took charge in 2010 when the value was at $275 million, and thirteen years later it went up to a whopping $3 billion.

Thus the Golden State Warriors star has hopes that the new ownership will help the Hornets turn around soon. It’s never too late to bounce back, after all. But all these conversations just seem to fail at silencing another pressing theme. And that is Curry’s retirement. The world wants to know when the 4x NBA champ will hang his boots, and whether Charlotte and its people will play any role in it.

What will be the impact of the Charlotte community on Steph Curry’s retirement?

Before the game, the superstar point guard faced the media. The reporters asked the usual questions—until one hit a little closer to home. “Have you thought about retirement? And how maybe the Charlotte community will play into life post-basketball for you?” It wasn’t just about basketball anymore. It was about home. About the city that raised him. And as always, his answer came straight from the heart.

“Not much, I mean, I still have, I try to have a presence up in Davidson, first and foremost. I got a lot of family that still live here. The Bay is home now, but there’ll always be a string attached to something, like gravity pulling you here, cuz it’s the city that shaped me for sure. Cuz that could latch,” Stephen Curry answered candidly. Well, even if the Charlotte community doesn’t affect his life after the NBA, he will always have something to come back to.

Thus for Stephen Curry, Charlotte isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling that never fades. No matter how many records he breaks or how far the Warriors take him, home still pulls at his heart. The Hornets’ struggles, the city’s dreams, and the memories of that backyard hoop. He carries it all. And when the day comes to hang up his sneakers, one thing is clear. Charlotte will always have a piece of him. Gravity, after all, never really lets go.