Imagine being a high school basketball payer receiving an invite to a camp belonging to Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. Moreover, discovering you have the same birthday as Curry, having him as a mentor throughout high school and college, then becoming his teammate as the backup point guard for the franchise.
Welcome to the life of second-round draft pick Nico Mannion.
Mannion spent most of this season in the G-League, but since being called up five games ago he's been placed in the everyday rotation. Mannion even received his first career start in his hometown against the Phoenix Suns right before the All-Star break.
Mannion talked to Clutchpoints regarding his relationship and experiences with Curry.
“Yeaj, it's storybook. I think a lot of the stuff from my point of view has been storybook, movie like I'd say, but I found that out (sharing the same birthday) about three years ago id say I think right before I went to his camp,” Nico Mannion told ClutchPoints.
“Then his mom played pro volleyball, I think. His dad played pro basketball, just like my parents, so its a little strange, but to be here regardless of all that, just being a backup to Steph and being able to be around him every day, watching him and learning from him, its a blessing. Honestly because, in my opinion, he's the best one of the best if not the best point guards to play so being able to learn from him and be around him every day and just soak up as much knowledge as possible is a blessing.”
Curry has been the best point guard in the NBA the past seven or eight years. In his previous game against the Lakers, he became the franchise's all-time assists leader. It's an honor Curry has credited partially to his longevity with the Warriors. Curry and Mannion are 13 years apart, which reminds Curry how long he's been around.
“It's dope for sure, like you said,” Stephen Curry said. “It's history there. I got to see him (Nico Mannion) as he was coming out of high school and showed out at the camp, which obviously means I'm getting older.”
“But all that it means is some of the young guys you kind of can mentor that you have been able to interact with through the years now their professional basketball players at this level. So him and Wise (James Wiseman) both came through the camp, and it's probably 15 or so, maybe a little bit more in the rest of the league. So it's kinda cool just to see that evolution.”
While the Warriors are battling for a playoff position developing players along the way will be challenging. The chemistry between Stephen Curry and the young Warriors could be a significant factor in the team's success.
The Dubs play the Houston Rockets next and plan to add another win to their 20-20 record. The Rockets have lost 17 straight games as they desperately need a win to slow down the bleeding from a disappointing season. Golden State is anxiously waiting for the opportunity to start a winning streak against the Rockets.
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