Accolades are only part of the reason players and fans revere Stephen Curry. A huge reason for the legend of Steph is the ability to remain calm and deliver in the face of doubt. He was severely underrated, largely due to his size for the longest time in the league and most of his high school and collegiate career. Scouts and coaches alike never took a scrawny son of an NBA role player that seriously. However, Curry proved everyone wrong, and the world witnessed his uprising. Similarly, 25-year-old Trae Young is another guard who follows in the footsteps of that giant.
Young has blossomed into a formidable guard since being picked 1st overall in 2018 by the Atlanta Hawks. He is averaging 27.3 points and 10.9 assists this season and despite that; he was snubbed from this year’s All-Star selection. Young had more than 2.7 million fan votes but couldn’t secure a spot in the reserve. In the recent match-up between the Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks Curry gave the young star some valuable advice.
“I told him after the game that it would all come back to him if he continues to approach the game the right way: play with joy, don’t let it build any type of resentment just because he’s not acknowledged,” said Steph in a post-game interview.
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Before his 10 career All-Star nods, @StephenCurry30 was snubbed from the 2013 NBA All-Star Game despite ranking eighth in the league in scoring at the time.
The NBA legend offered postgame encouragement and advice for @TheTraeYoung after last night's thriller. https://t.co/IxkbiXzzri pic.twitter.com/tCstg5HAm2
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) February 4, 2024
In his 15th season in the league, Curry still plays with that ‘joy’, evident from his demeanor after the overtime loss to the Hawks despite dropping 60 points. Young is still 25 and on his way to a stellar career ahead, his situation echoes that of Steph in 2013.
The similarities between the All-Star snubs of Young and Stephen Curry
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In 2013, Steph was also snubbed from the All-Star game and the media widely reported it as Curry was in his fourth season. He averaged 20.9 points and was eighth in the league in scoring and third in three-pointers made. If his average looks less, it’s because this was before teams started using three-pointers as their primary offensive tool. However, all that changed in the next decade that followed thanks to Curry himself, who ushered in the three-point revolution.
Read More: ‘Religious’ Stephen Curry Reiterates His Strong Faith Amid Warriors’ Hell Season
In the next two years, Steph won 2 MVPs and a championship. This is not to suggest that Trae Young will repeat that feat, but he is on his way to a greater career if he keeps his performances consistent. An All-Star snub now could be the fire that kindles his passion to reach greater heights.
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