Emerging strong after a setback and bagging his sixth world medal, David Taylor has now found himself on a different stage. Fresh from capturing a 92-kilogram bronze at the Senior World Championships, Taylor has been spotted watching an NBA game in Oklahoma. After facing massive defeat from ‘The Russian Tank’ aka Abdulrashid Sadulaev, David Taylor made sure to make a comeback in the repechage round to secure the bronze medal. However, now free from all the pressures of being in the competitive sphere, Taylor is all buckled up to enjoy an impeccable NBA showdown.

However, Taylor was not there just out of his enthusiasm to watch an NBA match. But, more out of his admiration for the Warriors star Steph Curry. Much like Taylor’s calculated strategies on the mat and the hard regime he follows while gearing up to face his rivals, Curry’s pre-game preparation too is a spectacle in itself. And Taylor sitting in the front row did not miss a chance to capture glimpses of his pre-match training regime.

As the Golden State Warriors prepared to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, Taylor shared two consecutive Instagram stories capturing Curry’s unique warm-up. In a packed arena where fans eagerly awaited the 36-year-old point guard’s entrance, Curry was already in the zone, well ahead of the crowd. Taylor must have felt captivated by the attention to detail that Curry pours into every move. More so, it might have mirrored Taylor’s own disciplined approach to wrestling.

Stephen was caught on Taylor’s stories and engaged in strength training exercises before reigning the arena. David Taylor’s visit to the NBA game and then sharing glimpses of Curry’s pre-game ritual on his Instagram handle reflected how he, as an elite athlete himself, found inspiration in the determination of another athlete. Taylor, too, with his physical prowess and unbeatable determination, rebounded from a tough defeat in the championships, only to secure a podium spot. 

Steph Curry has truly mastered the art of recovering and resetting for each game, creating an unbreakable mental focus. And this has long been a subject that has intrigued his fans. However, all his victories and stories of successes have chapters of struggles and difficulties looming behind them. But Curry’s will and approach to overcoming the barriers is what makes him a true ‘warrior’.

Steph Curry’s unique pre-game ritual left even ‘Magic Man’ David Taylor in awe

Once you step inside the Golden State Warriors’ home arena on game night, the energy is palpable. Fans flood the lower bowl, drawn in by the spectacle that is Steph Curry’s pre-game warmup. A ritual as famous as the man himself. Typically, Curry emerges about 75 minutes before tip-off, captivating the crowd with every practiced shot and stride. However, often Curry chooses to leave fans stunned by finishing off most of his regime before fans enter the arena. And it turns out to be a rare sight to see Curry preparing in silence.

While fans witness only part of Curry’s pre-game ritual, the work he puts in behind the scenes reveals his impeccable commitment and passion for the sport. Even rookies like Brandin Podziemski are awestruck by Curry’s dedication. Podziemski noted, “To get away from the action and the clutter and the people,” Steph often opts for undisturbed and early practice sessions. With his quiet intensity and absence of glamour, his unwavering focus separates him from others. It enables him to slip into the “game mode” before the chaos begins.

Curry’s pre-game ritual isn’t just about physical readiness. Rather, it’s like his mental runway to the court. Like Michael Jordan before him, who had his own pre-game psyche-up strategies, Curry has perfected his own methodical approach. He primarily relies on rhythm and repetition to sharpen his mind and body for competition. And it is obvious that such a unique approach would leave elite athletes alongside fans completely awestruck.