Lifestyle

From Too Small To Too Good: Steph Curry Is The NBA's Greatest Underdog

by Joseph Milord

Stephen Curry's profile could not be any higher right now.

The 6'3" point guard is the best player on the best team in the NBA, with the Golden State Warriors improving to a league-best 16-2 record on Thursday night.

The Warriors not only statistically rank as the best offensive team in the NBA, but the best defensive team in the league as well, a fact earning them the status as early-yet-still-legitimate contenders for the NBA title.

On their way to becoming a tentative championship favorite, the Warriors have been led by the masterful work of Curry, who is quietly, but assuredly, carving out an MVP-like season.

The bottom line: Steph Curry is amazing, and the best part about that is almost no one saw it coming.

Here's how Stephen Curry became basketball's ultimate underdog success story.

Currently in his sixth season of play, Stephen Curry is leading the Golden State Warriors to uncharted success.

After making his first All-Star Game last year, Curry followed up with MVP-type numbers this season, making him arguably the best point guard in the league.

He is also flat-out the best shooter in the NBA.

Even Reggie Miller believes he will go down as the greatest.

High praise from @ReggieMillerTNT for @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/sINeXGsoFK — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 5, 2014

But, people didn't always think highly of him.

Wardell Stephen Curry was born the son of former NBA player Dell Curry, who was also a great shooter.

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Though he was introduced to the NBA scene early on by his father, his stature complicated his path to getting there himself.

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Despite the fact he was a great scorer in high school, all of the big colleges avoided recruiting him because of his lack of size and height.

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He attended Davidson, a small school within a 30-minute drive of his North Carolina home. Right away, he averaged over 20 points per game during his freshman season.

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Curry gained national fame during his sophomore season. He provided possibly the best NCAA tournament performance of the century, averaging 32 points per game in leading the number-10 seed, Davidson, on a Cinderella run to the Elite Eight.

During his junior season, he led the NCAA in scoring and was so good, even LeBron James went to watch him play.

His amazing college career landed him a number-7 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by Golden State.

Even then, his once chronic ankle issues appeared to be a serious threat to his ability to fulfill his promise.

But, Steph Curry overcame his injuries to become a true superstar.

He is raining 3-pointers at a historic pace.

Steph Curry, in his first 4 NBA seasons...crazy. pic.twitter.com/jIiphocxMk — NBA Legion (@MySportsLegion) August 20, 2014

Despite doubts he could be anything more than a scorer, he has been an exceptional playmaker, too, averaging 7.8 assists per game this season.

And his handles? Forget about it.

His numbers have been simply amazing.

Like most superstars, many aspects of his life off the court have been notable, too, like his marriage to his high school sweetheart, Ayesha.

And the birth of their daughter, Riley.

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Curry also has his own shoe deal with Under Armour.

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His signature celebration symbolizes him giving his "heart to God."

And with his ridiculous knack for scoring, he'll likely keep doing it often.

As for those doubts, they're nothing but a punchline now.

Been Chef Curry with the pot, boy!