ALL-STAR GAME: SHAQ'S OGS VS. CHUCK'S GLOBAL STARS

February 16, 2025

Stephen Curry

Shaq's OGs

Press Conference

Championship: Shaq's 41, Chuck's Global Stars 25

Q. Steph, you worked with the format of this game trying to figure out ways to improve the competitiveness, I guess. Having experienced it, what did you make of it, and maybe even to pull back bigger picture, what should it be, in a perfect world? What should the competition level be for this game to be at its best?

STEPHEN CURRY: I mean, I did have some input and a lot of conversations with Adam and the rest of the leadership on where we were last year. We needed to change, needed some new life, new juice in the game, something kind of unexpected. What that answer was, was a collaborative effort to -- I think one, condense the amount of time you're actually playing so that it gives us more clarity on like, all right, so we can raise our level of competition and keep it fun for everybody. I think that was a big part of it.

Obviously there was a lot of conversation around the fourth team and the Rising Stars. The All-Star experience on Sunday is very sacred, and you have to work your way into that. But I think it was a good step in the right direction to reinvigorate the game in some way, and then you tinker with it again next year and see what changes you can make.

I don't want to compare it to any other era because the world has changed. Life is different. The way people consume basketball is different. It's not going to look like it used to. But it can still be fun for everybody.

I think this was -- I had fun. Our team had fun. That's kind of all that matters.

Q. You've had a pretty intense first half of the season. You had a very intense weekend with I've seen your schedule. Pretty crazy. I'm wondering, what was the highlight, what's your level of exhaustion and what do you plan to do for the next couple days when you get a little time off?

STEPHEN CURRY: The hosting experience was unbelievable. I'm not going to complain about being tired or exhausted. This is an honor and a blessing to be able to celebrate and share this beautiful Bay Area that's been a part of my life for the last 16 years and the basketball history and culture that's here and the amazing fans that are here and the impact that the game being here has had on both cities.

It was awesome from start to finish. The highlight is obviously the game. That's what everybody is looking forward to.

But brought a lot of my people together that have helped me along the way or been a part of the journey, and I got to kind of reflect a little bit. I'm excited to get back to work next week. I'll definitely get away and take a little catch-up on some sleep.

But everything kind of went exactly as it should. It was a 10 out of 10 experience for sure hosting the game here.

Q. Steph, you won one of those trophies in Cleveland a few years back, scored a bunch of points, hit a bunch of threes, traditional game format. There might not have been an obvious MVP choice today, but you kind of get it going in that finale. What was that run like for you? You hit the half-court shot and then it looked like your teammates started looking for you?

STEPHEN CURRY: Yeah, it was one of those little flurries, just having fun. The half-court shot, I was going to take one at some point. Jokic was picking me up at half court, which was hilarious. He forced it -- wasn't even eight seconds, it was like a 12-second violation.

But again, stories kind of write themselves. Just having a moment where you get the crowd into it and do what I love doing on the floor.

The format doesn't allow for, like, a strong storyline to build, which is all right because there was also other things going on during the game that were important, as well, like paying homage and giving honor to Kenny, Shaq, Chuck and Ernie for them representing the game of basketball in their way for, what, three decades. It felt like the game kind of got in the way a little bit, which was different. But we could keep the fun going, keep the intensity going. Yeah, end that with a trophy was just pretty cool.

Q. Whether it was the format or because you were the guy here or the crowd is cheering for you, did you feel pressure to actually win this, and did you feel a competitive level? Did you talk to the other guys and say let's show a little bit more competitive energy than we have in recent years?

STEPHEN CURRY: Yes and no. I was just riding high on the energy this whole weekend because it's here, and you want the pride to be at a level that, again, is fun for us as players. You feel a little bit of energy in the crowd and know everybody who is watching on TV is tuning in for a reason, and you want to give them a show.

I kind of feel like that all the time. But I had some other guys, Kyrie yesterday at practice when we came in right before we took the floor, he's like, yo, we playing this year? I was like, yeah, and he's like, all right. You saw him, he was guarding Donovan Mitchell physical. He was short spurts playing, keeping the intensity going and all that.

So it all mattered. Everybody was professional tonight. Everybody showed up, did their job and did right by the game. Like I said, it was a good step in the right direction, I felt like.

Q. I'm kind of curious to know because you said you also kind of were looking for the half-court shot. We had with you and Dame one of the greatest shooters in one team. I was wondering do you kind of also think about I want to take a shot and also that Dame gets his maybe three shots, and do you think about that, or do you just go for it?

STEPHEN CURRY: You just go for it. The cool part, some of these stories write themselves. Dame is from Oakland. He's represented Brookfield where he's from -- like he is Oakland. Playing in Portland, playing in Milwaukee, every time he comes back here he wants to put on a show and he made the shot to end the first game. Got to do his Dame Time thing.

I had my little moment in the second game. The defending champ, JT (Jayson Tatum), got us going early in the second game and gave us a lot of life, hit some shots. Everybody had their moment and chimed in on the fun. That's the way it's supposed to be.

Q. Steph, was there any moment when Wemby does something and you find yourself think a 7'3" guy is not supposed to be able to do that?

STEPHEN CURRY: Everything he does. Everything.

Q. If you look into the future to think of him as the anchor of this game five, 10, 15 years from now, what's that going to look like?

STEPHEN CURRY: He took it serious. He was playing hard. He was showing his unique skill set all across the board. It was very similar to Giannis a couple years ago when he was dunking everything and sprinting up and down the floor.

You make the game what you want it, and everybody has a choice to do that. I like it being in the hands of guys like Wemby who all talk the right talk and show up the right way and understand what this is about.

Q. Why was it important for you guys to include Oracle and just pay homage to have some of the events there this weekend? And of the young All-Stars that you've played with, who excites you the most about leaving this game in good hands?

STEPHEN CURRY: Maybe you've been a part of our journey and understood the highs and the lows of everything we've experienced as a Golden State Warrior franchise. Oracle is front and center as the symbol of that. It's such a unique place. Oakland is such a unique city, unique town, and the idea that we had an opportunity to pay homage to the 47 years that we played in that building and the memories that we had.

I got real emotional yesterday going back. I've been back a couple times before but not with a crowd and not with a basketball floor on the ground and being able to reminisce. It was very special, for sure. I know there's a lot of talk like, we should play a game there. I like that idea.

But Oracle holds a special place in my heart, and a lot of fans who have been a part of the journey, too. It was really cool.

Q. As someone who's so invested in Oakland children, what do you like about Dame's story, being somebody who matriculated from that into what he's become?

STEPHEN CURRY: Just his level of pride and passion and understanding he has a huge story to tell when he comes back. Yesterday he was talking about some of the gems he dropped at his school he went and visited. You can tell he's just about inspiring people and being real with them about what life throws at you and how to get through it and being authentically yourself.

I know he gave some wisdom yesterday in the press conference about what he would have told himself about listening more. All that stuff is impactful and matters and as real as they come in that respect to the point where they say he doesn't even wear No. 0, he wears the letter O. That's real.

Q. You've had so many big moments in your career. Where does this MVP rank for you?

STEPHEN CURRY: I don't know. This is just a special weekend all the way around. This is very symbolic of the entire journey. I know we have a lot -- I hope we have a lot to accomplish on the court and not ending the journey anytime soon. But again, for me and my vantage point, having played here for 16 years, this is the only place that I've played. It was just a great celebration of basketball in this area, and this is pretty cool to have, too.

Q. This is my first All-Star experience and I got the easy job because I went around talking to players and asked them to speak about you and your impact on the game. What does it mean just knowing your basketball journey from where you started 16 seasons in the league now, what is it like to have that league-wide respect from your peers?

STEPHEN CURRY: That's the most important thing. Media's opinion is important, fans' opinion is important, but your counterparts and your colleagues who understand the sacrifice it takes to do what we do at a high level, the longevity of it, the way you handle yourself, the impact that you had, I appreciate anytime somebody tells me what them watching me play basketball has done for them in some sort of way. I don't ever take any of that for granted.

That means you're getting old when they start to flip it on, I remember watching you when you were doing such-and-such and I was in middle school. I love hearing those type of stories.

Q. I'm curious now that this is over, now you get ready for the second half, does your energy level based on the trade and where your team is at about making this push and making a run in the Playoffs?

STEPHEN CURRY: I'm excited. I got Draymond on the telecast guaranteeing we're winning a championship. I love the expectations and having something to play for. He's lighting a fire, for sure.

But all jokes aside, I think we finished the last four games 3-1 and we have a lot to figure out still, and I think 27 games or so left to make a push. All we want is just to get into a playoff series and have a fighting chance to be a tough out against anybody in the West, and we have a good opportunity in front of us to do that.

I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's basically a playoff game every single night, and that usually brings the best out of you.

Q. You surprisingly only have 11 All-Star Games to your name --

STEPHEN CURRY: Dang, your expectations are insane.

Q. Do you want to play longer to accumulate more All-Star caps in your illustrious career?

STEPHEN CURRY: Any time you get acknowledged in this way is important. Bron has got 21 or something? KD has got probably 16, 15, something like that.

It's wild to think about where I came from, that that is something that you're like, I'm surprised you only have -- I haven't heard "only 11" in my entire life, so I appreciate that.

Q. You've been a strong advocate for HBCUs including funding golf programs. How do you feel seeing the league amplify HBCU voices during this All-Star Weekend?

STEPHEN CURRY: The HBCU Classic is a great part of the weekend. It shines a lot on some amazing colleges and universities that are in the business of providing amazing opportunity and have for years. It just adds a different element to the weekend where I got to cross paths with -- right before our practice, some kids that are in the hallway about to play, and they're pulling their phone out, they forgot about all their scouting reports, they forgot about all their prep. All they want to do is take a picture and enjoy that moment.

It's about shining a light on them, the talent and opportunity that's there. Hopefully that is a part of All-Star Weekend every year in the future.

Q. You're an aficionado of Warriors history. How does it feel to be MVP, given Rick Barry was the first MVP in 1967 in the Cow Palace? What does it mean for you to have that honor and to see the franchise where it's come from?

STEPHEN CURRY: It's still surreal. I got to see Rick tonight before I won the award. But I understand the history of this being the third weekend that we've hosted it, and from the Cow Palace to Oracle to now Chase, the legends that have played for this franchise and being amongst them with certain accomplishments like this.

Again, it's all about just celebrating the journey. We're not here without that generation and every generation since then that has paved the way for us to play this game and have fun at the highest level. I'm very appreciative of it.

Q. We are talking about you face today international stars. Talking about international stars, there was in particular one that you said inspired so much your game, Juan Carlos Navarro. Do you think the way how he inspired your game has kind of become a decisive factor for you to become the greatest shooter of all time?

STEPHEN CURRY: Every athlete that I got to see shoot the ball at a very high level, with Juan Carlos being a very unique one, I hit a one-legged three today, and that's what he used to do. I emulated that pretty nicely tonight, so shout-out to him.

Q. Have you ever talked to him about shooting or --

STEPHEN CURRY: No. I've met him once. But I just watch a lot of film and highlights. And like I said, there's so many shooters that have inspired me and impacted me, the way that I played, my dad to Reggie to Steve Nash, Juan Carlos is on that list. That's the cool part about basketball, giving back to a younger generation, and then we kind of come into our own.