Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry possesses an asset, apart from his shooting ability, that has been equally vital in cementing his greatness: his endurance. Curry’s elite conditioning has been showcased in the way he plays, with his relentless off-ball movement being a shining example.
While moving without the ball is a fundamental skill most players need to develop, the Warriors star took things a step further. In his book, “Shot Ready“, the guard explained the reason behind his emphasis on off-ball movement. He wrote:
“You can exhaust your opponent. In the first quarter, they may be physically and mentally rested. Their adrenaline is pumping, their minds coordinating well with their bodies. That’s when they are most formidable. But let’s see them in the third quarter. Fourth quarter. That’s what I gear all my training for these days.”
The 37-year-old acknowledged that he had unconsciously been implementing this strategy since his high school and college days. Lacking in athletic ability in comparison to other players on the circuit, Curry relied on building his endurance and conditioning.
He exemplified these traits by moving without the ball at all times. This approach has also justified the heavy minutes the guard has played throughout his career.
When factoring in the physical and mental pressure he needs to build on the defenders responsible for guarding him, Curry’s role goes far beyond that of a typical point guard.
He continued by discussing how his commitment to building his endurance paid off after coming to the NBA.
“I came into the league believing that everyone would be at a high level of conditioning. But they’re not. Some people are just coasting on the thing that has always worked for them – an advantage in talent or size or athleticism.”
“The point of conditioning is that it allows you to do whatever your best thing is all the time, not just in short bursts,” Curry added. “Some people can procrastinate and then summon superhuman focus ‘when it counts’ because of a deadline. I believe it always ‘counts’… Condition yourself to be relentless.”
Beyond his elite shooting ability, the 11-time All-Star cultivated his endurance, a trait that has yielded significant success over the course of his career. When considering his efficacy in late-game situations, it is clear that his efforts were all meticulously planned to create an ideal situation for him to thrive.
Curry’s unrelenting effort is an inspiration to younger players. While traits such as talent and athleticism are certainly beneficial for an athlete, endurance is something that can be developed. With the right approach, this can also prove to be a deadly weapon over the course of a game.
His career figures underscore this point. Across 16 seasons, the 37-year-old has averaged 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game on shooting splits of 47.1% from the field, 42.3% from three-point territory, and 91.1% from the free-throw line. When additionally factoring in his average of 34.1 minutes played per game, Curry truly possesses top-tier conditioning to sustain such performances.
