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Warriors superstar Steph Curry has said on numerous occasions that he wants to play at least 16 NBA seasons.
Why that number specifically?
Because that’s how long his father, Dell, played in the NBA.
If all goes according to plan, Steph will turn 37 years old during his 16th season. And according to his personal trainer, Brandon Payne, the three-time NBA champion can play long after the 2024-25 campaign comes to a close.
“He’s a young 32. He’s still gaining strength, he’s still gaining power, he’s still getting faster,” Payne said last week on “The Habershow” podcast with NBC Sports NBA Insider Tom Haberstroh. “Those aren’t things you see out of guys that are 32 years old.
“He’s still refining movement patterns, and all athletes develop at different speeds … not only is his skill level evolving continually, but is body still is developing. And that is a rare thing for a guy at 32 in the NBA.”
The Warriors’ run to five straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019 did put a significant amount of mileage on Steph’s body and mind.
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But missing four months last season because of a broken left hand — combined with the delayed start to the 2020-21 season — has provided the two-time NBA MVP ample time to recover physically and mentally.
“He’s got a lot left,” Payne said. “That’s not just me saying that because I’m his friend and his trainer. That’s me being honest.
“If you saw him right now physically — and we don’t put a whole lot out there on Instagram, there are reasons we don’t — he’s getting even more chiseled than he’s been in the past.
“He’s getting stronger than he’s been in the past, and he’s moving with fluidity that we haven’t seen from him … it’s way too early to be trying to see when the end is.”
Warriors fans would love nothing more than for Steph to become a top MVP candidate again next season, and for Golden State to be a legitimate title contender.
Based on Payne’s comments, don’t be surprised if both things come to fruition.
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