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May 6, 2015
Nothing But Net
How Stephen Curry Does All Things
Eric Metaxas
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By John Stonestreet
We're going to take Paul's advice to the Philippians and dwell on something
that is excellent and lovely.
Today on BreakPoint, we're taking a break from the bad news that can so
easily dominate our attention, such as riots, earthquakes, and gay wedding
cakes.
It's not that these things aren't important, but they aren't the only things
worthy of our notice. There are other, often sublime, things that remind us
that when God created the world and us, He called it "good". Things like a
child's laughter, music, art, poetry, and the sweet sound of a basketball
hitting nothing but net.
In the NBA playoffs, on April 23rd, the Golden State Warriors trailed the
New Orleans Pelicans by 20 points after three quarters. It looked
hopeless-the franchise's record in games when they trailed by twenty or more
points after three quarters was 0-and-356.
But this night would be different. Led by their MVP candidate, Stephen
Curry, the Warriors cut the Pelicans' lead to 3 with 9.6 seconds to go. They
inbounded the ball to Curry who missed a shot, which teammate Marreese
Speights rebounded. Speights passed the ball to Curry in the corner and
Curry, despite being knocked down by two New Orleans players, hit the tying
shot and, as they say, "broke the internet."
After that, the outcome of the game and the series was a foregone
conclusion.
The spectacular play has entered basketball lore as "the shot." But that's
not why I'm telling you about Stephen Curry. To understand why, you've got
to look at Curry's shoes. I'm not kidding.
The outside of the tongue reads "4:13." The inside of the tongue reads "I
can do all things." As you may have guessed, both are references to
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
At the unveiling of the shoe, Curry was asked about the references, to which
he replied "that's a good question. I'm glad you asked." He then proceeded
to explain their meaning. He told reporters that "It represents a Bible
verse I wear on my shoe . . . It's also my mantra, how I get up for games
and why I play the way I do."
He added that he switched shoe companies so that he could use this platform
to share his faith.
It seems to be working. His shoes rank second to Lebron James' in sales. Of
course, it helps that, in the words of BreakPoint favorite Terry Mattingly,
Curry's play is "so-hot-he-might-hurt-your-eyes."
But look anyway because you might miss something, such as the way he points
his right index finger upward after hitting a shot. It's a practice he began
in college at his mother's suggestion: an outward sign and internal reminder
that "God gets all the glory for his success."
As Curry told Decision magazine, "I've been put here for a specific purpose:
to be a witness and to share my testimony as I go through it."
Again, it seems to be working.
His teammate Harrison Barnes called Curry "probably one of the most humble
superstars I've ever met," and added "A lot of that is based on his faith.
He's a guy who not only talks it; he lives it. I think he garners a lot of
respect in this locker room because of that."
And not just respect. Another teammate, David Lee, credits Curry's witness
with playing "an integral role" in Lee's "decision to put God at the center
of his life."
And that kind of impact is even sweeter than a Stephen Curry jump shot.
Good stories like this need to be shared. Why not email this commentary to
friends and family? Or share it on Facebook. Just come to BreakPoint.org, or
visit our BreakPoint Facebook page.
And of course, you've got to see "the shot" by Stephen Curry. We'll have
that for you as well.
Editor's note: Shortly after Eric recorded this broadcast, Stephen Curry was
named the NBA's Most Valuable Player. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION
More on This Topic
Gather more information on today's Daily BreakPoint by visiting
www.breakpoint.org.
Next Steps:
To read more about Stephen Curry and his Christian faith and witness, click
on the links below. You can watch Stephen Curry's amazing shot here. And
don't forget to follow BreakPoint on Facebook and share with your friends!
Resources:
Stephen Curry can do all things? Public service note for scribes covering
NBA playoffs
Terry Mattingly | GetReligion.org | April 24, 2015
Stephen Curry shoe giveaway: NBA star's 'Curry One' a billboard for
Christian faith
Marcus Thompson | Rapzilla | February 1, 2015
Warriors on Curry and 'The Shot'
Youtube video
Watch Stephen Curry's touching, heartfelt MVP acceptance speech
Micah Peters | USA Today video | May 4, 2015
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Victoria E Gilkerson
