Over the past two weeks, basketball fans around the world have had the opportunity to learn more about Michael Jordan. ESPN’s 30 for 30 “The Last Dance” chronicles the 1990s Chicago Bulls teams in a 10-part documentary series.
From battling “The Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, to game winners and intense practices with his teammates, the mystique of Jordan’s competitive drive has been a common theme throughout the first four chapters in the documentary.
In the middle of most of it is the Golden State Warriors head coach. After spending five seasons alongside Jordan, Steve Kerr is featured throughout the series.
With stories of fierce competition becoming a trending topic following “The Last Dance,” Kerr was asked about Stephen Curry, the competitor.
On the “Runnin’ Plays” podcast with Kerith Burke and Logan Murdock of NBC Sports Bay Area, Kerr praised the Warriors point guard.
Via NBC Sports Bay Area:
I think it’s probably Steph’s [Curry] most underrated quality is just how competitive he is, and I think it’s underrated because of just his physical stature and the way he looks. He’s so different from your average NBA star. Most NBA stars they’re physically imposing and here’s Steph — he looks like he’s just another guy and then he makes everything looks so easy with his game.
So, you don’t really see the fire, that’s in him. But, you feel it. And when you coach him, or you play with him, you understand how desperately he wants to win. You can see it his work ethic every day. You can see it in his eyes and he is a fierce, fierce competitor, but he’s unique to himself. I think that’s one of the things that makes Steph special is that he has this incredibly rare combination of brash confidence and humility and a fierce competitive desire that is sort of disguised by this unbelievably joyful way of playing basketball.
There’s never been anybody with this kind of combination. And so I think that’s one of the reasons the fans love them so much.
Curry’s drive for competition has been put on hold throughout the 2019-20 season.
The two-time Most Valuable Player has missed 60 games due to a broken hand injury he suffered against the Phoenix Suns. Curry’s return was put on hold after one game when the NBA season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If the NBA season returns, the six-time All-Star will have 17 games remaining to close out the 2019-20 calendar.
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