From the court to the page: Stephen Curry’s ‘Shot Ready’ reveals his secrets

Category: Sports

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. overwhelmingly / ˌoʊ vərˈʰwɛl mɪŋ li / (adv.) – very strongly or in a way that is much more than usual
    Example:

    The book became overwhelmingly successful, selling millions of copies in just a few months.


  2. atop / əˈtɒp / (prep.) – on the top of something
    Example:

    The singer’s new album was atop the list of the most popular music played last month.


  3. instill / ɪnˈstɪl / (v.) – to gradually put an idea or feeling into someone’s mind so they will remember or believe it
    Example:

    Honesty was instilled in him by his grandparents, who showed him the importance of always telling the truth.


  4. burgeoning / ˈbɜr dʒə nɪŋ / (adj.) – starting to grow or develop quickly
    Example:

    The country’s burgeoning technology industry has created many new jobs for young engineers.


  5. rigor / ˈrɪg ər / (n.) – the quality of being detailed, careful, and strict to make sure something is done well
    Example:

    The teacher checks every report with great rigor to make sure there are no mistakes.


Article

Read the text below.

Stephen Curry is going down memory lane, though he still has eyes on what’s next.


Curry’s book Shot Ready was released in September, and the immediate reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Amazon quickly had it ranked among its top 10 current best-sellers and atop its sports book charts.


Over more than 400 pages and with more than 100 photographs, many of them of the behind-the-scenes variety, the Golden State Warriors star guard—a four-time NBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist and the league’s career 3-point leader—said he’s simply trying to give fans a new look inside his mind and at his process.


“We wanted to have something tangible, not just from a sports perspective but from a life perspective and show all the different highs and lows that I’ve been through and what people have instilled in me,” Curry said. “It just made sense, especially while I’m still under the bright lights on the court playing. It’s a moment of reflection. But also for me, it’s a moment to motivate me to keep going and get everything else I can out of this game.”


The book is the latest part of Curry’s burgeoning empire. He has his Curry Brand with Under Armour, has a multimedia company, is now in the bourbon business, recently announced plans for a restaurant, is trying to grow the game of golf by making it more accessible, and has a nonprofit with his wife, Ayesha Curry, dedicated largely to providing meals and educational opportunities to children in need.


“I think I’m just going deeper into the things that are exciting and I’m passionate about,” Curry said. “I’m passionate about sharing all of that with anybody who’ll listen. I feel like it’s going deeper and it’s a part of just being able to extend the platform and the opportunity to things that matter to me.”


“Success may not always look the way you expect, but it’s attainable for all of us when the rigor of our preparation and the depth of our belief meet the urgency of the moment,” Curry wrote. “That’s what it means to be shot ready.”


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Stephen Curry says his book shows both the highs and lows of his journey. Why is it important to share failures as well as successes? Do you think people learn more from success or from struggle? Discuss.
  • Curry wanted his book to be a “tangible” way to share his story. If you could leave your own story for others, what form would it take (ex. book, film)? What message would you want to share (ex. how to be successful, the meaning of life)? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Curry wrote: “Success may not always look the way you expect.” Do you agree with him? Why or why not? How would you say that you have reached success? Discuss.
  • Curry says success comes when preparation and belief meet the moment. What do you think he meant by this? Do you think preparation and hard work alone guarantee success, or is timing and opportunity just as important? Why? Discuss.