Stephen Curry, the billion-dollar player
Stephen Curry catapulted the value of the Warriors; Caitlin Clark adds another recognition and Damian Lillard joins a select group with LeBron James and the ‘Chef’. This and more in the Top 5…
1.- The value that Curry has given to the Warriors beyond the titles. For many, Stephen Curry burst into the NBA to change the game, many like that now the three-point shot is the first option to win games and championships, many are not convinced.
The truth is that Curry has made the Golden State Warriors become the most valuable franchise in the NBA, as Field Level Media published on Thursday.
And in addition to that report, the IG account, basketball.network, pointed out that the value of the San Francisco franchise went from being worth $315 million in 2009 to $9.14 billion in 2024, pointing to Curry as the ‘big culprit’ of this increase in its value.
2.- The NBA Cup premiered its champion. From the hand of Giannis Antetokounmpothe Milwaukee Bucks they proclaimed NBA Cup champions last Tuesday after beating the Las Vegas final against Oklahoma City Thunder with a great performance by the Greek forward, who recorded a triple-double.
Bucks joined Los Angeles Lakers as the first two monarchs of the new ‘son’ of the Association and as a curious fact, both frenchships were crowned undefeated.
Thus, Giannis already has one more title in his career with the Bucks, while Damian Lillard won the first in his NBA career and with Milwaukee.
3.- Caitlin Clark, one more recognition. The sensational player of the WNBA will close 2024 full of records and recognitions, since Iowa announced that he will retire the #22 jersey worn by the now base of the Indiana Fever during his time at that university.
Last week, Clark was recognized by Time magazine as the ‘Athlete of the Year’ (2024) and now Iowa will give him the honor of retiring the 22nd.
Among Clark’s achievements with the Hawkeyes is having finished her collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in women’s and men’s Division I history, with 3,951 points.
4.- The All-Star Game under the magnifying glass. He NBA All-Star Game It will have a change in format in order to make it more attractive.
The commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver announced that the game between the ‘cream of the league’ would be modified (again) to make it more competitive; However, beyond the changes it may have, the success of this event depends on the players giving themselves and wanting to play it and for now the Suns star, Kevin Durant He declared that he hates the new format, which in general terms will be like this:
There will be 3 teams of eight players, plus the winning team from the Emerging Star Game
2 semi-finals will be played at 40 points
Winners will advance to the final game
Hopefully this is a change that gives positive results for one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year and which is becoming increasingly disappointing.
Likewise, LeBron and Anthony Davis were others who spoke about the new ASG format.
“I don’t really like it,” AD said when asked about the format change, James sounded more open to it.
“Something had to change,” James said, referring to last year’s game in which both teams scored a meaningless 397 points.
“We’ll see, we’ll see when the time comes,” he continued. “It’s different. Obviously, every time you make some kind of change, you’re going to give some money back. I don’t know. I mean, I have my ideas of what might work… Something has to be done. Obviously, the last two years haven’t been a great All-Star Game that Sunday night.”
5.- Damian Lillard, LeBron James and Stephe Curry, in the same group. The Bucks point guard has something in common with two of the NBA’s greatest figures, what is it?
Well, Lillard, the ‘King’ and the ‘Chef’ are the only three active players in the NBA with lifetime shoe sponsorship contracts.
Lillard joined this select group after the NBA Cup final, as Adidas and the rapper also agreed to a lifetime contract extension.
The 34-year-old will now surpass $600 million in career salaries for his on-court and sneaker contracts.
