Not every NBA journey is smooth sailing. Not every player is going to be a high draft pick and presto, he’s an NBA star. The journey for everybody is different in this league.
For new Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry, his journey was much more arduous and there were a lot of potholes along the way.
After starting his college career at Liberty, he transferred to Duke and he played there for three seasons where he began to gain some notoriety. However, he went undrafted in 2013 and toiled in the G League for a few seasons and he played only four NBA games across the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
He then got his first real opportunity with the Sacramento Kings and he has hopped around the league since. His brother, league MVP Stephen Curry, was a lottery pick and he has established himself as one of the best players in the league.
Seth’s journey has been much different.
“My journey is having to earn it every step of the way,” the younger Seth said. “From high school to college and having to earn my respect and show that I belong by doing it on the floor. A lot of times, these days, guys are drafted off potential and are told they belong and try to build from there and get that opportunity. Me, I had to earn that opportunity, make the most of it, and that’s why I’m appreciative of every year and every step of the way. My journey is different and special and I’m just looking to the next step of my career.”
It also did not help his cause that he has had to go through a few different injuries and surgeries that have held him back a bit despite his good production.
“Every time I step on the floor, I feel like I’ve played well and shot the ball at a high clip,” Curry said. “I just think the injuries are the biggest thing that have really held me back. Missing a few months coming out of college and having surgery and missing [time] a few years ago when I was in Dallas.”
He is right about taking advantage of the opportunity. He shot 42.5% from deep in the 2016-17 season with Dallas, then shot 45% from deep the following season with the Portland Trail Blazers, and then 45.2% this past season in Dallas.
“Every time I step on the floor, I shoot the ball at a high clip, but it’s just a matter of having a few minor setbacks as far as getting opportunities and having injuries at the same time,” he added. “It’s just a matter of getting better every year, continuing to do what I do well, but adding different things to my game, and staying healthy while doing it.”
As far as blocking out comparisons to Steph, it is easy for him to block out. Not only does he get compared to his brother, but his father Dell Curry played in the NBA for 16 seasons, including 10 with the Charlotte Hornets.
“It’s pretty easy. I just focus on what I do,” he finished with. “I play basketball the way I know how to play it. Personally, I’ve dealt with it my whole life, especially, growing up in Charlotte under my dad’s shadow. He played in Charlotte for 10 years so I feel like I grew up under the spotlight in some sense. It got larger as Steph became an MVP candidate and one of the best in the league, but it’s no different in my process and the way I go about doing things. It’s just knowing who I am as a player and maximizing what I do and letting everybody compare us how they want.” [lawrence-related id=39486,39483,39478]