During a press briefing at the end of a training session, Steve Kerr mentioned a meeting with… Roger Federer, in China, a few years ago. The opportunity for the Warriors coach to talk regarding the commonalities between the Swiss and his leader Stephen Curry.
In high-level sport, we often like to make comparisons. It shows a lot in this pre-Draft period, where we are also the first to try to see which current players the different prospects make us think of. Well, we have to admit that some are fairer than others, but the one presented to us today is rather interesting. And original. It is given to us by Steve Kerr and concerns the 2022 Finals MVP meneur des Warriors, Stephen Curry. A comparison with tennis legend Roger Federer accompanied by a nice anecdote, following a meeting with the Swiss:
“A few years ago we met Roger Federer in China. He came to see us in the locker room and Draymond asked him how he was doing to stay at the highest level for 20 years. He told us “I like my daily routine. I get up, I prepare my children’s breakfast, I drop them off at school and then I go to practice. I love competition. And every night when I lay my head on the pillow, I’m like, “Man, what a great day. “I think of Steph a lot when I think of that response from Roger Federer. I find great similarities between them. –Steve Kerr
It is sure that with Steph and Roger, we hit rather high in the category of sports legends. But beyond making a comparison with a world icon to enhance his player, Steve Kerr highlights common characteristics that distinguish great champions from other top athletes: an ability to repeat efforts without fatigue, daily discipline and great perseverance to continue working and putting yourself in the best conditions to perform. In addition to their enormous talent, Federer and Curry have built their careers on an ability to work harder and harder to seek the next challenge, the next title, the next record. Here are also two magnificent examples that these qualities translate over time: even if he has been less well for a few months (understandable at almost… 41 years old), the Swiss has long pushed back the impact of age on his performance. And Steph then? He’s fine, thanks for him. By linking the boxes to the scoring, he carries the Warriors on his shoulders in these Finals and, at over 34, one wonders if he has ever been so strong. A new example that this comparison between the tennis player and the basketball player holds up.
Steph Curry and Roger Federer belong to the category of sports legends: they have made their mark with their performances, but also with their personality and their conception of the very highest level. This comparison by Steve Kerr reminds us how essential the qualities that these champions embody are to break through and reach the heights.
“He loves the process… It’s one of the things that ties all great athletes together.”
HC Steve Kerr discusses Steph’s greatness & shares a story from @rogerfederer speaking to the Warriors #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/FNzKtwUJOY
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 12, 2022
Source : Clutch Points / Twitter @NBATV
