Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Oakland on Tuesday. AP
Stephen Curry may have been wreaking havoc in the NBA leading the Golden State Warriors to an unparalleled 16-0 start, but there’s still another diminutive mega star he’s a big fan off.
Lionel Messi, who been tearing it in Europe while playing for FC Barcelona, is someone the NBA MVP looks up to and someone whose moves Curry watches out for.
“We both have a creative style, where it’s just about a feel when you’re out on the pitch or the court. I try to do some fancy things out there with both hands, making crossover moves and kind of having a certain creativity and flair to my game,” Curry said in a conference call with members of the media.
With an NBA MVP and a Larry O’Brien trophy in tow, Curry has cemented himself as one of the elites of his era while Messi has a trophy case which features four Ballon d’Ors enough to put him in the discussion as one of the greatest ever.
While Messi can blaze through defenses giving nutmegs to defenders and goals behind goalkeepers, Curry for his part primarily puts defenders on skates while shooting long balls as if it were layups.
Curry said Messi’s style of play has that certain creativity he likes to emulate to his game.
“I love watching him play. I’m a big fan. And to see just a guy that you never know what he’s going to do at any particular moment—when he’s on TV, everybody is glued in because, as soon as he gets a touch with the ball, something special could happen. And you’ve got to appreciate that kind of talent,” Curry said.