I still remember watching the 2009 NBA Draft like it was yesterday, sitting in my college dorm room with my basketball teammates. When David Stern announced Stephen Curry as the seventh overall pick to the Golden State Warriors, my friend Mark actually threw a bag of chips at the TV. "A shooter from Davidson? Seriously?" he yelled. That reaction, as it turns out, was pretty representative of how most basketball analysts felt at the time. Looking back now, with Curry having revolutionized the game of basketball, it's almost laughable how many experts doubted his potential. But his journey to that draft night was anything but straightforward, and it reminds me of the recent comments from the UAAP deputy about Season 88 being potentially "the toughest season" for the Lady Bulldogs - sometimes, the most challenging circumstances produce the most remarkable stories.
When Curry first entered college basketball, he wasn't on anyone's radar as a future NBA star. Davidson College wasn't exactly a basketball powerhouse, and Curry's physical attributes didn't scream "NBA prospect" to scouts. At 6'2" and barely 180 pounds with what many considered average athleticism for professional basketball, the odds were stacked against him from the beginning. I've spoken with several scouts who admitted they had him pegged as a potential second-round pick at best during his sophomore year. The common criticisms were relentless: "too small," "not explosive enough," "defensive liability," "just a shooter." Sound familiar? It's the same kind of skepticism that often faces athletes in challenging environments, much like what the Lady Bulldogs might be experiencing in what's being called their toughest UAAP season.
What fascinates me about Curry's pre-draft journey is how he systematically dismantled every single criticism through pure performance. During his junior year, he averaged 28.6 points per game while shooting 45% from the field and 38% from three-point range - numbers that even the most skeptical analysts couldn't ignore. But here's what really stood out to me: in the 2009 NCAA tournament, despite Davidson not making the same magical run as the previous year, Curry dropped 26 points against South Carolina and 29 against West Virginia in back-to-back games. These weren't just good performances - they were statements. I remember watching those games and thinking, "This kid has something you can't measure with combine metrics." His basketball IQ was off the charts, his off-ball movement was revolutionary, and his shooting was simply transcendent. The Warriors, to their eternal credit, saw beyond the conventional wisdom.
The draft combine numbers tell part of the story that often gets overlooked. Curry's vertical leap measured at 35 inches - higher than many more "athletic" prospects that year. His lane agility time was 11.07 seconds, which placed him in the top 15 among guards. But what the numbers couldn't capture was his incredible hand-eye coordination and that lightning-quick release that would become his trademark. Don Nelson, then the Warriors' coach, reportedly fell in love with Curry's game after watching tape of him navigating double teams against bigger, stronger defenders. There's a particular play against Oklahoma where Curry gets trapped by two defenders near half-court, does a behind-the-back dribble to create space, and drains a 28-footer that still makes me shake my head in disbelief when I watch it today.
What many people don't realize is how close Curry came to not being a Warrior at all. Minnesota actually held the fifth and sixth picks that year and seriously considered taking him at five before ultimately selecting Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn instead. I've always wondered how different basketball history would be if Minnesota had trusted their initial instinct. The Warriors themselves were reportedly torn between Curry and bigger guards like Jrue Holiday. The decision ultimately came down to owner Joe Lacob overruling some of his basketball operations staff - one of those franchise-altering decisions that happens maybe once a generation in sports. It's the kind of pivotal moment that reminds me why I love sports stories - sometimes, going against conventional wisdom pays off in ways nobody could have predicted.
The parallels to challenging sports environments like what the UAAP deputy described for the Lady Bulldogs are striking to me. Both situations involve athletes facing tremendous odds and skepticism, having to prove themselves repeatedly when others would have folded. Curry's journey demonstrates that sometimes the "toughest" circumstances - whether it's playing at a smaller college, facing physical limitations, or dealing with constant doubt - can forge the mental toughness required for greatness. I've noticed throughout my career covering sports that the most compelling athletes often emerge from these challenging environments rather than smooth, predictable paths to success.
Looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight, Curry's draft story feels inevitable. But at the time, it was anything but. The Warriors took a significant gamble on a player that many considered a reach at number seven. What's remarkable is how quickly Curry began silencing doubters - he dropped 36 points in just his seventh NBA game against the Timberwolves, the very team that passed on him twice. I've always found it poetic that his breakout game came against Minnesota, almost as if he was sending a message to every team that doubted him. His rookie season averages of 17.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 46% from the field and 44% from three-point range made the All-Rookie First Team selection a no-brainer.
The real lesson from Curry's draft journey, in my opinion, extends beyond basketball. It's about recognizing potential that doesn't fit traditional molds and having the courage to bet on unique talent. The Warriors saw something in Curry that transcended combine measurements and conventional scouting reports - they saw a revolutionary talent who could change their franchise. Fifteen years later, with four championships, two MVP awards (including the first unanimous selection in NBA history), and countless records, it's clear they were right. But what I find most inspiring is how Curry's underdog story continues to resonate - it's a reminder that sometimes the players facing the toughest roads, whether in the NBA or in leagues like the UAAP, are the ones who end up rewriting the narrative entirely.
