Steph Curry’s Advice to Macklin Celebrini? Patience - and Perspective
When Steph Curry talks about the early years of a pro career, he’s not just tossing out clichés - he’s speaking from experience. The four-time NBA champion knows exactly what it’s like to be a young phenom dropped into a rebuilding franchise, trying to find your footing while the losses pile up. That’s why his advice to San Jose Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini hits a little deeper than your typical words of encouragement.
“Patience,” Curry said during an appearance on NBC Sports’ Dub Talk with Bonta Hill. “It’s hard to keep that tunnel vision on, continue to get better, continue to keep your joy for the game through all the ups and downs of a tough team situation early in your career. That’s one thing we both have in common.”
Curry would know. Drafted seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2009, he spent several seasons grinding through growing pains before the franchise turned the corner.
The Warriors didn’t make the playoffs until Curry’s fourth season, and two years after that, they were hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy. It’s a blueprint - or at least a hopeful parallel - that Sharks fans wouldn’t mind seeing Celebrini and San Jose follow.
Celebrini, the Sharks’ top pick and a player with franchise-changing potential, is already navigating the steep learning curve of NHL life on a team that’s still finding its identity. But he’s not going through it alone. Curry has a direct line to Macklin’s progress through a unique connection: Celebrini’s father, Rick, is the Warriors’ Director of Sports Medicine and Performance.
“I talk to Rick every day when I’m on the table like, ‘How’s Mack doing?’” Curry said. “I’m getting all that intel.”
It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes relationship that adds a layer of mentorship, even if it’s indirect. And for Celebrini, hearing those words from a Bay Area sports icon means something. He told NBC Sports’ Alan Hoshida that Curry’s advice is “something to take to heart, for sure.”
And he should. Because Curry’s journey wasn’t just about becoming a superstar - it was about staying the course, trusting the process, and learning how to lead while the team grew up around him. That’s the kind of path Celebrini could be on in San Jose.
Sharks Notes: Celebrini’s Growing Pains, Smith’s Highlight Reel, and More
While Celebrini continues to develop, the Sharks are dealing with the usual ups and downs of a team in transition. Celebrini and head coach Ryan Warsofsky were both puzzled by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty the rookie picked up against the Vancouver Canucks. It’s one of those moments that comes with the territory for a young player - learning the NHL’s unwritten rules as much as the ones in the rulebook.
On a brighter note, Will Smith might’ve delivered the goal of the year last night. The rookie forward pulled off a dazzling individual effort that had fans and teammates buzzing. If you’re looking for signs of the Sharks’ future core taking shape, Smith’s creativity and confidence are a great place to start.
Warsofsky also addressed a few roster decisions, including the choice to scratch defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin. The move wasn’t necessarily a knock on Mukhamadullin’s play, but more about managing confidence and development.
The Sharks also opted to call up Pavol Regenda, a decision that raised some eyebrows given other available options. Warsofsky hasn’t elaborated fully on the reasoning, but it’s clear the staff is still tinkering with the lineup to find the right mix.
As for Sam Dickinson, the young blueliner continues to show flashes of what made him a top prospect. His skating and poise stand out, but there’s still room to grow in his defensive reads and physical play. That’s to be expected at this stage - it’s all part of the process.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Vincent Desharnais remains week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He’s missed the last three games, and Warsofsky confirmed the defenseman will be out a bit longer.
Meanwhile, there’s some roster maneuvering happening behind the scenes. Forward Michael Misa, who’s been on injured reserve, could be headed to the AHL on a conditioning loan.
Warsofsky said he and GM Mike Grier would meet to discuss that possibility. One key note: because Misa would be going from IR to a conditioning assignment, he wouldn’t count against the 23-man NHL roster - a small but important detail per league rules.
Skinner and Misa were both listed as possibilities for the next game, but don’t bet on it, especially in Misa’s case. He hasn’t played in over a month.
Around the Tank: Milestones, Momentum, and More
Brenden Dillon hit a meaningful milestone recently, and it didn’t go unnoticed. The former Shark played 439 regular-season games in teal and was part of four playoff runs. The Sharks tipped their cap to the veteran defenseman, recognizing his contributions during some of the team’s most competitive seasons.
Attendance at the Shark Tank is trending upward, a positive sign for a fanbase that’s been through some lean years. There’s still a long way to go, but the energy in the building is starting to reflect the optimism around the team’s young core.
And in a lighter moment, Making Waves - the Sharks’ in-house series - returned with a spotlight on this year’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiatives. It’s a reminder that hockey’s impact goes far beyond the ice.
Celebrini Hits 100-Point Milestone
Quietly but impressively, Macklin Celebrini reached a significant career milestone: 100 points in just 96 NHL games. That puts him among the youngest players in league history to hit the century mark, and it’s another sign that, despite the growing pains, the talent is very real.
The Sharks may still be finding their footing, but with players like Celebrini and Smith leading the charge - and with guidance from voices like Steph Curry’s in the background - the foundation is being laid for something bigger. It might take time, but patience, as Curry reminded us, is often the first step toward greatness.