Showing posts with label Golden State Warriors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Golden State Warriors. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

How Steph Curry Carries the Bible with Him On and Off the Court - CBN News Juan Garcia


How Steph Curry Carries the Bible with Him 
On and Off the Court
06-07-2017
CBN News Juan Garcia
To say that LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers got outplayed by the Warriors in games 1 and 2 of the 2017 NBA finals would be a serious understatement. One thing we know is certain: Golden State is tough to beat when Stephen Curry finds his groove.
From a guy who many thought was too little to play at the highest level to becoming the league’s most valuable player, Curry’s journey has been one propelled by hard work and dedication. 
Some years back, Alan Stein attended the inaugural Kobe Bryant Nike Skills Academy and noticed something unusual about Curry.  In a YouTube video recapping the event, Alan noted that it was Curry’s habits and work ethic that shined brighter than any other player’s talent.  Before each session, Curry had already drained 100 – 150 shots and was in a full sweat by the time his peers hit the floor.
For Curry, success is not an accident, it’s a choice. But there is much more that separates the 6’3’’ all-star point guard from the rest and it’s his faith in Jesus!
Steph Curry was raised in Charlotte, N.C., by Christian parents who began every morning with a required family devotional time before school.  As a result, Stephen Curry has developed into solid man of God, one who never shies away about sharing his faith.
Sometimes while on the basketball court, Curry points his index finger upward as an outward sign and reminder that God gets all the glory for his success.
But regardless of his health or how he plays on any given night, Curry remains rooted in one of his favorite Bible verses - Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
It’s not too often that we get to see athletes bring the Bible out on the court, but that’s exactly what Stephen Curry does each game through his trademark shoe with Under Armour.
In an interview with Decision, Steph acknowledged that, “Obviously, there’s a lot of hoopla and fanfare that follows you wherever you go, but I know where my talent comes from. I know why I play the game, and it’s not to score 30 points a night, but it’s to use the stage I’m on. I’ve been put here for a specific purpose: to be a witness and to share my testimony as I go through it.”
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Thursday, June 18, 2015

Stephen Curry: I Knew God Was Preparing Me for a Bigger Stage to Be a Witness for Him

Stephen Curry: I Knew God Was Preparing Me for a Bigger Stage to Be a Witness for Him




Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry (Reuters)
Join us on our new podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors captured their first NBA title since 1975 last night in a 105-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Curry and Andre Iguodala, the Finals' MVP who called the Warriors a "team of believers" in post-game interviews, teamed up for 50 points, while the Cavs' LeBron James added 32.
Even after the greatest achievement in basketball, Curry knows there's a much bigger prize in life, long after the buzzer sounds.
In 2013, Curry talked to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the March issue of its bi-monthly magazine, writing that his faith identifies him more than his jersey.
"Congratulations to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on an incredible season and an amazing playoff run—and to LeBron James and the Cavaliers for a stellar season as well," said FCA President and CEO Les Steckel. "We are so elated for Steph and his commitment to his team, his fans, his family and his Savior. Steph gave God all the glory last night. He is a wonderful role model to young athletes, who we hope will learn that when God is in charge of their life, they're always undefeated because God never loses."
Curry told FCA about the moment he began living for Jesus—and never looked back: "I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I gave my life to Christ. I was in fourth grade, and I recall hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking down the aisle to give my life to Him. My parents continued to pour into my faith from that point on, making sure I understood the commitment I'd just made."
And of his journey to the NBA, he said, "I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson (College) that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory.
"God's given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me the opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that's something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top.
"There's more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that's Christ living inside of me."
Steckel added that FCA's mission is to reach coaches and athletes for Christ—one heart at a time.
"Whether youth, junior school, high school, college or professional, athletes have a platform like few others to share their faith," Steckel added. "We are thrilled that Steph is using the platform he has been given not for his own glory but for the glory of God." 
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Thursday, June 4, 2015

Stephen Curry - Faith, Family & Fatherhood

Foul: Media Scorns Athlete's 2-Year-Old Daughter

Point guard Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to their first spot in the NBA Finals in 40 years.

Curry has been called one of the best pure shooters in basketball.

"He is an unbelievable competitor. He wants to win. But more important than anything is his relationship," the team's longtime chaplain, Earl Smith, told CBN News.

"He is what you see. He lives it fully and he enjoys life because he has peace with his life," Smith added. "He has a relationship that far exceeds a three-point shot, far exceeds the accolades that are in the arena. He is a family man. He loves his wife. He loves his daughter."

Curry's 2-year-old daughter scored the most attention at the post-game news conferences. That's had some turning up the heat on the young stand-out, who champions his Christian faith, his family, and fatherhood.

Reporters have criticized the Warriors MVP for the daddy-daughter time in front of the camera.

One reporter tweeted, "Curry's kid is cute. That doesn't mean she should have been at the presser."

"The celebration that we had after game five with my family and be as normal as possible and obviously she has got a personality that is pretty electric and loves that scene, but there is no motive," Curry told reporters, following game five of the western finals. "It's just me and her hanging out."

The criticism also didn't sit well the team's chaplain.

"That really bothered me and the reason it bothered me is because of the question that keeps coming up, where are the fathers? Where are the dads?" Smith told CBN News. "And here was a guy that truly had a daughter that was loving on her dad, loving to be with her dad."

At a time when athletes routinely make headlines for abuse, Smith calls these moments a "missed opportunity."

"Maybe the interview should have changed. Maybe it should have taken a different direction and talked about at a time when there is questions about athletes and a questions about fathers and their relationships with their children," Smith suggested.

"I am going to enjoy those times with my daughter, no matter how much pub she gets, regardless of what cameras are pointed my way because that is a special time," Curry said.

Curry's post-game press time could get a little more crowded soon. He and his wife are expecting their second child in July.

Watch video: Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors




Thursday, May 7, 2015

'The Holy Spirit Is Moving Through Our Locker Room,' Says NBA MVP Stephen Curry

'The Holy Spirit Is Moving Through Our Locker Room,' Says NBA MVP Stephen Curry


Stepehn Curry
Stepehn Curry, left, plays for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. (Reuters)
My dad may have been playing in the NBA at the time, but the best basketball games I remember from my childhood were the ones between my little brother, Seth, and me on our backyard basketball court in Charlotte, North Carolina. We'd play for hours and hours, oftentimes well into the night with the use of a bright stage light shining on the court, until our mom would yell out the window for us to come in. Those games would get pretty heated, but that was the norm for brothers as close as we were.
Our whole family was very close in fact, even when it came to school. My mom started a Christian Montessori school when I was in first grade, so we all went there together—Mom was in charge as the head mistress, our aunt was our teacher, and our grandmother was the cook. My brother and sister and I were blessed to have such great influences in our lives, and I can honestly say that my mom and dad were the best. They raised us to believe in God, and we were at church every Wednesday for youth Bible studies and every Sunday for services.
I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I gave my life to Christ. I was in fourth grade, and I recall hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking down the aisle to give my life to Him. My parents continued to pour into my faith from that point on, making sure I understood the commitment I'd just made. Starting in middle school I attended Charlotte Christian School, which allowed me to hear the gospel on a daily basis. Looking back, my childhood was filled with the Lord's presence.
Wanting to follow in my dad's footsteps on the hardwood, I had my sights set on Virginia Tech during my high school years. Unfortunately, the Hokies and other ACC schools weren't interested. I was confident the Lord had blessed me with the talent to play the game, and I just wanted to go where He wanted me to be. That place became as clear as day to me once I met Bob McKillop, Davidson's head coach. He explained his vision for my career at Davidson and how he could help me achieve my goals. Plus, he was a man of God, so it was an added bonus to play for a leader who was grounded in faith. The entire recruiting and signing experience taught me about patience and seeking God's will, because He had a plan all along. I couldn't see it at the time, but I trusted He knew what was best for me.
During our Cinderella run to the 2008 Elite Eight, I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory.
Then, in 2009, it was a surreal moment and a dream realized to be sitting in the green room with my family hearing my name called as the seventh overall pick of the NBA Draft.
Fast-forward to now—my fourth year with the Warriors—and my faith continues to be my driving force. God's blessed me with an awesome support system in Oakland, starting with my head coach, Mark Jackson, who is a pastor of a congregation in Southern California. It's rare to have such an outspoken believer leading an NBA team. We also have about 10 guys on our team who attend our pregame chapels and pray together before games.
The Holy Spirit is moving through our locker room in a way I've never experienced before. It's allowing us to reach a lot of people, and personally I am just trying to use this stage to share how God has been a blessing to my life and how He can be the same in everyone else's.
God's given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that's something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top.
There's more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that's Christ living inside of me.
Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors and was recently selected as the NBA's most valuable player.