Ignoring Stephen Curry Altered NBA Career, Admits Ex-Laker in Emotional Confession

Former NBA superstar Magic Johnson once perfectly captured Stephen Curry’s widespread influence, noting, “kids love Steph Curry… they love how he shoots the basketball, but also how he carries himself.” This appeal isn’t limited to young fans; it has also profoundly impacted the players who share the court with him. For some, like D’Angelo Russell, witnessing Curry’s genius up close became a life-altering experience that reshaped their entire approach to the game.

Russell’s career has been a fascinating journey of highs and lows across multiple teams, from the Lakers to the Warriors and back again. A recent video has gone viral, pulling back the curtain on a specific moment of regret from his time in Golden State. In an emotional and reflective podcast appearance, the veteran guard made a startling confession about how his initial reaction to Stephen Curry’s work ethic ultimately altered his own professional path.

On a recent episode of The Backyard Podcast with D’Angelo Russell he opened up about how watching Stephen Curry would have altered his style and career choices if he had seen that level of preparation earlier. Russell said “bro I was always way more flashy than anything. Like I used to be like Jason Williams, like flashy, like regular pass behind the back, regular bounce pass no look uh-uh, fast break backboard. Like that was—shoot it. If I would have saw what Steph was doing at that young I would have been turn around like I would have been part of that trend of what we’re seeing”.

And there’s truth to that, analysts and scouts reported Russell’s rapid rise from a mid-lottery projection in December 2014 to a top-5 lock by draft time. He was often compared to elite guards like Stephen Curry and James Harden for his offensive efficiency and usage (29% of Ohio State’s possessions, with an offensive rating of 114.5). Key reports emphasized his “sleeper” status turning into stardom, with one calling him “the best player the Buckeyes have had since National Player of the Year Evan Turner.”

Ohio State coach Thad Matta frequently lauded him as “multidimensional”, something Russell admits seeing himself as a ‘Basketball Player’ instead of just a ‘Point Guard. ‘

He also reflected on learning to find the right role, saying “My whole career has just been like figuring it out because I never played point guard until I got to the highest level and then I got to college and start playing it and then start playing point when it mattered”. Those lines landed because they mix humility with a clear rethink about how preparation shapes outcomes.

Russell described being awestruck by Stephen Curry’s meticulous preparation, which included practicing every conceivable shot from anywhere on the court. He saw firsthand that Curry’s legendary half-court makes during games were no lucky accident, but the direct result of relentless, focused repetition. This realization, Russell confessed, made him want to immediately adopt that same shoot-from-anywhere confidence, though he now implies he may have embraced the style without first putting in the same foundational work.

This reflection marks a significant moment of professional clarity for Russell. He is now with the Dallas Mavericks, having signed a two year deal worth $13 million this summer. This move offers him a fresh start and a key role, especially with Kyrie Irving recovering from an ACL injury. Russell is entering this new chapter with a renewed sense of confidence and self awareness about his place in the league.

A prime opportunity in Dallas?

Russell arrives in Dallas boldly declaring that he is in the prime of his career. On The Backyard Podcast he quoted, “I feel like I’m in my prime. I don’t feel old. I feel stronger. I feel wiser. I feel more careful”. This self-assurance comes after a season of challenges, including a reduced role under Lakers coach JJ Redick that saw his playing time drop before a trade sent him back to the Brooklyn Nets.

His statistics tell a story of a talented player seeking consistency. Last season, split between the Lakers and Nets, Russell averaged 18 points per game while shooting an impressive 42 percent from three-point range with Los Angeles. However, his production dipped to 12.9 points per game on 30 percent shooting from deep in Brooklyn, indicating the fluctuations that have defined his journey.

Pairing D’Angelo Russell with Anthony Davis again in Dallas would revive their proven pick-and-roll chemistry, where Davis’s elite rim-running draws defenders and creates wide-open lanes for Russell’s pull-up jumpers and creative passing, boosting his scoring efficiency beyond his recent 12.6 PPG dip.

This reunion, built on a 72-43 record together, would allow Russell to thrive in a supplementary role off-ball—flaring for threes (as he did with 226 makes in 2023-24)—while Davis’s gravity opens the floor, potentially elevating the Mavericks’ perimeter attack amid Kyrie Irving’s injury.

The Mavericks are betting that a stable environment and a defined role will unlock the best version of Russell. The team envisions him as a crucial ball-handler and playmaker, particularly in Irving’s absence. They are hoping he can recapture the form that made him an All-Star in Brooklyn back in 2019, when he averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists per game.

For Russell, Dallas represents more than just another team; it’s a chance for redemption. He has acknowledged playing with a “chip on his shoulder,” motivated by past criticisms and his recent contract, which is a fraction of his previous $36 million deal with the Lakers. This blend of humility and motivation, forged from his past regrets and realizations, could be the key to finally solidifying his legacy as a player who learned from his past and truly entered his prime.