When John Cena stepped away from the WWE ring last week, he did it his way-paying tribute to the legends he battled with by borrowing their signature moves. It was a nod to legacy, to the shared grind, to the icons who helped shape the stage he once ruled.
Stephen Curry is doing something similar, just on hardwood instead of canvas-and with sneakers instead of suplexes.
In his 17th NBA season, Curry has found a new way to keep things fresh. With his longtime Under Armour deal in the rearview, he’s stepped into sneaker free agency like a kid in a candy store-and it’s been an absolute blast to watch.
Each game, each warmup, is a new chapter in this sneaker saga. One night it’s a pair of Kobe tributes.
The next, he’s lacing up Shaq’s hypnotic Reeboks or Penny Hardaway’s Sprite-colored classics. He’s even shown love to his teammates, like when he rocked Jimmy Butler’s Li-Ning “Batman” kicks.
This isn’t just a fashion statement-it’s basketball history on full display. Curry’s using his platform to celebrate the game’s lineage, one pair of sneakers at a time.
And make no mistake: when the greatest shooter to ever live becomes a walking sneaker museum, it’s not just a flex-it’s a cultural moment. He’s not just hooping; he’s curating.
And it’s not just about the past. Curry’s also giving flowers to the present.
Case in point: Thursday night against the Suns, he broke out Devin Booker’s signature Nikes. That’s not just a style choice-it’s a salute.
Booker, a scoring machine in his own right, has carved out his place in today’s NBA with a smooth, surgical offensive game that can torch you from deep, mid-range, or right at the cup. When Curry laces up Book’s kicks, it’s like one flamethrower tipping his cap to another.
Two elite scorers, two different styles, one shared obsession: making defenses suffer.
It’s rare to see a player of Curry’s stature-four-time champ, two-time MVP, face of a dynasty-go out of his way to honor the guys trying to keep him from adding more rings to his collection. But that’s what makes this sneaker tour so special.
It’s not just about what looks good. It’s about what means something.
It’s about respect. For the game.
For the craft. For the players who are building on the foundation he helped lay.
Now, the Warriors are gearing up for a rematch with Phoenix after a nail-biting 99-98 loss on Thursday. And while the fans in Dub Nation are hoping the scoreboard flips in their favor this time, there’s another subplot that has everyone buzzing: What’s Curry going to wear next?
Will he dip into the archives and pull out some vintage Charles Barkleys? Maybe channel some Steve Nash vibes?
No matter the colorway, one thing’s for sure-Curry’s not just hooping. He’s storytelling.
And if the Warriors can snag a win while he’s at it, all the better.
But even if they don’t, this sneaker journey has already become one of the most entertaining side quests of the season. A love letter to basketball, written one pair at a time.