Curry had always studied and drawn inspiration from Nash,
another slightly built point guard who used shooting skills, creativity,
leadership and instinct to become a two-time MVP. But the full picture of how
Curry wanted to place his own stamp on the position didn't fully click for him
until the summer of 2012, when he visited the training camp of the Carolina
Panthers, one of his favorite teams. Curry sat in on a full day of quarterback
meetings and saw a contemporary in Cam Newton, who won the 2011 NFL offensive
rookie of the year by playing quarterback like a point guard in shoulder pads.
In the playbook and on film, Curry recognized how Newton was juggling the same
dozen or so basic responsibilities that point guards also have to manage in
real time: game situations, momentum, positioning, ball protection, elevating
teammates, staying three steps ahead of the defense and, when needed most,
making something happen all by yourself.
The difference was that even as a rookie, Newton wasn't
hesitant, overly worried about mistakes or brain-locked by all the duties the
way Curry had been. Newton was smooth. Effortless. In command. And having a
freakin' blast. Curry realized that although a point guard has dozens of
responsibilities, the toughest one is to let it all go and ball like you're
back on Jack's country court. He had always known how to play the game. What
Curry has improved on dramatically since then is how to feel it. "It's all
become so natural," Curry says. "I think that's why I feel so
comfortable on the floor most nights."
