NEW YORK -- Stephen Curry is the best player on the league’s best team, and was the top overall vote-getter in the final All-Star balloting results.
Despite that meteoric rise to an elite level of stardom, he’s not quite to the LeBron James level of global icon just yet. But speaking to reporters following an All-Star game performance that netted him 15 points, five rebounds and nine assists, Curry admitted that it’s something he aspires to.
“I hope to be,” Curry said, in response to a question about whether he sees himself becoming the new face of the NBA. “Obviously it’s nice that the fans are supportive and show out like that in the voting process for the All‑Star Game. I never expected that. Two years ago I wasn’t here, so it’s pretty special. And I hope to continue that trend upward to doing great things in this league.”
Curry has shown this season that he’s capable of getting there. His style of play, which features top-of-the-line offensive skills all the way around, is among the most exciting in the game. And, the way he shoots the ball from long range with a high level of accuracy is something fans can relate to more than they can guys that are blessed with an amount of athleticism that essentially enables them to fly to the basket.
He isn’t as recognizable by those who don’t pay attention to the NBA as guys like LeBron or Kobe Bryant, and he understands why. But Curry hopes to work hard enough to one day change that.
“Those guys have won championships and MVPs and are going to be legends for a long time to come,” Curry said. “I have more work to do that I want to accomplish. And I’m going to stay hungry in the process.”