CURRY BREAKS DOWN AFTER DAUGHTER’S QUESTION: IF YOU COULD GO BACK WOULD YOU CHOOSE ME OR BASKETBALL?
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One evening, above the glittering skyline of San Francisco, Steph Curry found himself in a rare moment of vulnerability. It wasn’t on the basketball court, where he dominated with unparalleled skill, but in a quiet moment shared with his daughter Riley. As the sun dipped behind the hills, casting golden light over the city, Riley, only 11 years old, asked a question that would make even the toughest champions pause: “Would you choose basketball or me?”
The question echoed in the air between them, heavy with emotion. It was a simple yet profound question, one that cut to the heart of the life Curry had built for himself. For all his success on the court—multiple championships, MVP titles, and a legacy that would endure forever—there was a part of him that, like any father, longed to be more than just a player. He wanted to be there for his family, to balance his passion with the love he had for those who mattered most.
That evening had been perfect. After months of travel and games, Steph and Riley had managed to carve out a rare day just for themselves. They’d explored the city, gone for burgers at her favorite spot, and enjoyed ice cream together. Now, they were at the Twin Peaks viewpoint, the world beneath them bathed in the soft glow of twilight. But there was something different about Riley. She wasn’t her usual bubbly self. She was quiet, pensive, and Curry could sense that she was wrestling with something deep inside.
The weight of her question lingered, and it hit him harder than he expected. In a flash, he remembered the times he’d missed—his daughter’s birthday, her dance recitals, the moments that every parent yearns to be part of. All those times he’d had to choose the game over being with her.
Riley repeated the question softly, her eyes searching his: “Would you choose basketball or me?”
Steph Curry looked into his daughter’s eyes, the answer not as clear as he wished it could be. His heart ached at the thought of her doubts, but he knew it was time to share with her the truth of his journey, a truth he’d never really expressed until now.
“Let me tell you a story,” Curry began, his voice steady despite the emotions welling up inside. “When I was about your age, I had a dream. I wanted to be in the NBA, just like my father. But the world told me it wasn’t possible. I was too small, too weak. My coaches, my peers, even some of my friends said I would never make it.”
He smiled softly, the memory bittersweet. “But you know who didn’t say that? My parents. My dad, Dell, would miss big games just to see me play. My mom would drive me hours to tournaments that no one thought I could ever win. They believed in me when no one else did.”
Riley’s eyes widened as she absorbed her father’s words. She was listening carefully, taking in every detail.
Steph continued, pulling her a little closer as the wind picked up. “I kept going because I had something greater than just basketball pushing me. I wanted to prove to myself and to my family that dreams could come true, even when the odds were against me.”
Riley looked at him, her curiosity growing. “But how did you do it, even when people said you couldn’t?”
“Persistence,” Curry replied. “Sacrifice. I gave up a lot—time with friends, family, and even some of my schoolwork. It wasn’t easy. But you see, Riley, sometimes we have to give up things we love for things we love even more. My parents sacrificed everything to help me chase my dream. And I, too, sacrificed time with you, with our family. That was the hardest part.”
The breeze softened as Curry paused, his thoughts drifting back to the days when he could barely keep his eyes open from the pain in his ankles or the sound of doubt in his mind. “But there came a moment, Riley, when everything changed. When I held you for the first time. And suddenly, basketball wasn’t the most important thing in my life anymore. It was you. Your smile, your first steps. Watching you grow became my new dream.”
Riley’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she listened, trying to grasp the depth of her father’s words.
“And you know what?” Curry’s voice cracked slightly. “I carry you with me in every game. Every shot I take, every victory, I think of you. I’ve always carried your initials in my shoes. Every time I step on that court, it’s for you and for our family. You’re the reason I fight every day.”
The city lights below them began to twinkle as the last traces of sunlight faded into the evening sky. Riley sat quietly, her small hand clutching her father’s, processing the weight of his words.
“I’ve missed a lot, Riley,” Curry confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I missed your dance recitals, your games, the little things that make you who you are. And I regret that. I really do. But what I don’t regret is the love I have for you. Basketball gave me a platform, but being your dad gave me purpose.”
Riley’s eyes were filled with tears now, but she smiled softly. “You don’t have to regret anything, Daddy. I understand now.”
Curry’s heart swelled with love as he embraced her tightly. “I promise you, Riley, I’ll do better. I’ll find the balance. You deserve that. I’ll always be there for you.”
As father and daughter shared a quiet moment under the stars, Curry knew that the real victory wasn’t the championships or the accolades—it was the promise he’d made to his daughter. A promise that no matter how far the game took him, family would always come first.
As they began to walk back to the car, Riley looked up at her father with newfound understanding. “So, you didn’t have to choose, did you?”
“No, I didn’t,” Curry replied, his heart full. “Because with you by my side, I can do both.”
And with that, father and daughter stepped into the car, ready to face the future together, where basketball and family would coexist in perfect harmony, each reinforcing the value of the other.
