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Stephen Curry, who is from Charlotte, responded almost immediately to the NBA’s decision to strip Charlotte of the chance to host the 2017 NBA All Star Game.
Curry is disappointed, but if he holds any true resentment about the decision, he buried it deep and took the high road.
Also, good on him for getting out ahead of this thing and preventing dumb-asses like me from speculating too much about his potential response.
Via CSN Bay Area:
"It's disappointing that my hometown won't be able to host the All-Star Game as they had planned. Obviously, I understand Adam Silver's decision. See where it ends up. An unfortunate situation for the city. And it is what it is.
"I knew how much that would have meant to the city to be able to host the greatest NBA guys and celebrate the game of basketball. I know the league is in a position where they have to make a decision, and Adam Silver has made one, and we support that.
"But at the end of the day, I love my city. I love Charlotte. I love everything about it. I love the people there and I really wanted to see them celebrate the game. And it's unfortunate they won't be able to do that."
He is sounding all the right notes here, even in the face of disappointment given his obvious love for his hometown.
Lastly, he finished his statement, saying:
"I feel it's important the league makes a decision that they believe in and that they have put a lot of thought into. And I assume that is what they've done in this situation. And we'll see where they move the game to."
The newest Warrior chimed in as well. Kevin Durant, he of the baller, newly-minted, fresh-as-all-heck-tattoo, had this to say:
I recognize this was a tough decision for the NBA but I respect the choice. Discrimination of any kind cannot be allowed
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 22, 2016
Man, I can’t wait for this next season. Durant dropping truth-nuggets in press conferences in a sort of unhinged, free-as-the-day-is-long exploration of his personality? Draymond encouraging him every step of the way?
Regardless of your political affiliations, you gotta admit that these guys are a whole lot of fun to root for!
Again, it’s awesome to see players unafraid to speak out on such matters. It’s the first step towards true social progression.