Stephen Curry’s speech to his teammates before Game 7 was a key factor in their victory vs. Kings, as he implored them to put aside any personal feelings and focus on the team’s mission. Andrew Wiggins on Curry’s speech: “It Gave Me Chills.” Jordan Poole on Curry: “He’s got that Mamba Mentality.”
Stephen Curry set a Game 7 scoring record with 50 points and the Golden State Warriors kept their championship-repeat dreams alive with a 120-100 road win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Curry’s 50 points were three more than he’d ever scored in a playoff game, and two more than the 48 Kevin Durant put up against the Milwaukee Bucks in a Brooklyn Nets Game 7 loss in the 2021 Eastern semifinals.
Steph made 20 of his career-high 38 shots overall and 7-for-18 on 3-point tries.
Curry’s huge influence was felt not only on the court but before Game 7, too.
Before the start of Saturday’s film session, Curry stood before the GSW group and gave a motivational speech, according to The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II and Shams Charania.
“I don’t even talk a lot,” Curry said to the team, “but I’ve got something to say.”
A few of his teammates called it the greatest speech of his career.
“It gave me chills,” Andrew Wiggins said. “No. 30, he’s different, man.”
“He’s got the same edge as any of the other greats. Mamba Mentality, all of that s**t. Steph got that s**t,” Jordan Poole underlined. “That’s what makes him so special. Maybe his approach is a bit different than the other guys, but we know he’s a killer. Everybody in the world knows he’s a killer.”
According to The Athletic’s sources in the private session, Curry told the team he believed in them, and that they had enough to win.
“He asked for their trust in return. He assured them he could deliver victory if they all bought in. He implored them to put all of their feelings aside — which sources with knowledge of the locker room felt was messaging directed at Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, and other guys who might’ve been unhappy for reasons such as playing time and role — and lock in to the unified mission.
“Anyone who wanted to remain in their emotions, he told them to stay home. Anyone who was ready for their vacation, he told them not to get on the bus for Sacramento. But anyone who did get on the bus, Curry took that as a signature of approval, a binding agreement to be on board with the mission. And if they did that, if they got on the bus, he promised he’d deliver. With his game, his faith, and their solidarity, they’d win,” Thompson II and Charania wrote in their article.
Curry rescued the Warriors’ season before Game 7 vs. Kings even began.
“You’re in this space where you’re gon’ fold or you gon’ rise up,” Draymond Green said, as he relived the speech. “Once he did that, you have no choice but to rise up. He f***ing got everybody locked in. ‘If you’re getting on this bus, you’re making a commitment to this team. No matter if you play zero minutes or 40 minutes. You’re making a commitment to do whatever it takes. Prepare your mind and body for this opportunity we have. We got embarrassed the other night and we never f***ing going out like that.'”
