Before he was a four-time champion and arguably the greatest shooter in NBA history, Stephen Curry was just a 23-year-old wondering if his body would betray him. Ankle problems plagued his early years, creating a period of serious doubt during which he questioned whether his career was over before it truly began. It was a moment of vulnerability that now seems unthinkable for a player who has dominated for so long.
How Did an Ankle Injury Nearly Derail Stephen Curry’s Career?
During a recent episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast with LeBron James and Steve Nash, the Golden State Warriors star reflected on the aftermath of his first right ankle surgery in May of 2011. The uncertainty was overwhelming as he struggled through rehabilitation at his home in Charlotte.
“There was a moment in rehab sitting in the basement of my house in Charlotte. I wasn’t even rolling my ankle landing on somebody, I’d be catching in transition and pushing off and that thing would flip… like Bambi legs… like literally I just couldn’t stay on my feet. And you’re just like what is the problem?” Curry asked himself.
The surgery was supposed to resolve the ankle troubles that had bothered him throughout the 2010-2011 campaign, a season in which he sprained it multiple times. Despite the recurring issue, X-rays consistently came back negative, and Curry managed to play in 74 games before deciding on the procedure.
MORE: Warriors Star Stephen Curry Opens Up on Health Issues After Impressive 28-PT Game vs. Suns
However, the operation did not provide the expected fix. In the following 2011-12 season, Curry’s ankle issues became even worse. He twisted it in the second game, which marked the second time it had happened in just seven days. His court time was drastically reduced, and he only appeared in 26 games that season, raising serious questions about whether his body could handle the NBA grind.
A second surgery in April of 2012 “consisted of cleaning out loose debris and scar tissue.” Even with the consistent sprains, doctors found no structural damage in the 11-time All-Star’s ankle. That procedure finally put the issues behind him, and when the 2012-13 campaign began, Curry was healthy. He went on to play in at least 78 games in each of the next five seasons, becoming a two-time Most Valuable Player along the way.
What Lesson Did Curry Learn About Off-the-Court Work?
On the podcast, Curry also recalled attending a camp hosted by James and Chris Paul before the start of his professional career. He remembered them stressing the importance of hard work, telling the young players that their high school and college success meant little at the next level. “Y’all think y’all nice now, but when you get to the league, everything resets,” Curry recounted.
At the time, the future Warriors guard assumed they were only talking about on-court production. He did not fully grasp the importance of off-court preparation for a long and successful career until his own injury struggles forced him to confront that reality.
The experience gave him a new perspective. His talent was useless if he couldn’t stay on the floor. “If I couldn’t even be available, how do I even know if I’m good enough?” Curry said of his mindset during that difficult period. He battled through the uncertainty and ultimately became more than “good enough,” as the future Hall of Famer enters his 17th NBA campaign at age 37, having reached the 60-game mark in a remarkable 12 of his 17 seasons.