Ex-Warrior Jamal Crawford details Steph Curry’s work ethic with classic story originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Stephen Curry is 37 years old and still playing like one of the NBA’s best. And according to Jamal Crawford, the reason behind Curry’s sustained greatness is simple: relentless discipline.
During an appearance on “Dubs Talk” with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill and Monte Poole, Crawford didn’t hesitate when asked what keeps a guard like Curry playing at a high level for so long.
“Doing exactly what he’s doing,” Crawford said. “Shape has no age.”
Crawford knows that better than most. The former guard played in the NBA until he was 42, suiting up for nine teams — including the Warriors during the 2008-09 season — and becoming one of the most respected veterans in the league. He won three Sixth Man of the Year awards, made his name as a legendary ballhandler and, in 2019, became the oldest player in NBA history to score 50-plus points in a game when he dropped 51 for the Phoenix Suns at age 39.
So, when he looks at Curry, he recognizes the work behind the results.
Crawford recalled last year’s NBA All-Star Game, when most players had long hit recovery mode. But not Steph.
“Steph went and did a weight-room workout after an All-Star Game,” Crawford explained. “That kind of consistency, that kind of discipline, is why he is who he is.”
Now in his 17th NBA season after being drafted No. 7 overall in 2009, Curry continues to set the standard for veterans who refuse to slow down.
But Crawford said playing deep into your career isn’t luck — it’s commitment.
“It’s a lifestyle change,” Crawford noted. “You start changing your diet, you start stretching, even if you’re sore, you start foam rolling — ice tub. But you get in a routine.”
That’s why watching Curry continue to evolve and dominate year after year doesn’t surprise him.
“I’m sure Steph has his routine,” Crawford said. “He has the best team around him. And he’s very intentional … Not a lot of wasted motion. He knows how to scale it back, when to ramp it up. He’s in tune and the ultimate professional.”
Coming from someone who defied time for two decades, that’s as high a compliment as Curry can get.
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