When it comes to NBA superstars, it is only natural to associate a particular signature move with each such star. Michael Jordan had his mid-range jumpers, Kareem Abdul Jabbar had his skyhook and Dirk Nowitzki had his fadeaway jumper.
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Among current stars, arguably the most popular signature move belongs to the only unanimous MVP in league history, Stephen Curry. The “look away” three-pointer has become Steph’s weapon to taunt opponents and drive fans into a frenzy.
Curry, arguably the greatest shooter of all time, has earned quite the reputation for making tough shots beyond the arc. And it is with such prowess that the “look away three” came into existence.
Speaking to fellow three-point bomber JJ Redick, Curry revealed the origin of his signature move. The story gathers further spice following Curry’s revelation as it involved a future teammate of Curry’s who went on to become a 3-time NBA champion and a Gold medallist with USA basketball.
The origin of Steph’s look-away three included future teammate JaVale McGee.
In conversation with JJ Redick on the Old Man and the Three, Steph was asked about the origins of his now iconic look away three. Curry went on to explain how he gained the confidence to pull off the shot during his first playoff series.
And this series featured Curry’s Warriors against the Denver Nuggets. The sixth-seeded Warriors were matched up against the third-seeded Nuggets in the first round of the 2014 Playoffs.
This was a pivotal moment for the Golden State Warriors too. It marked the first playoff appearance of the Golden State dynasty which went on to define the 2010s.
While Steve Kerr’s men pulled off an upset against the higher-seeded Nuggets, it was their young point guard and his mesmerizing performances that took the cake. Curry averaged 24 points and 9 assists during the series as he made his first mark in the NBA playoffs, while also giving birth to the look away three.
Curry went on to describe the moment to JJ Redick in great detail.
“It was either Game 3 or Game 4 of our first playoff series against Denver in 2013. It was the third quarter. I went on this crazy run. I think I had like 20-something in the quarter. One of the last threes was right in front of Denver’s bench. JaVale McGee’s standing, like literally standing up. It was like five or six guys around him and I got the ball in the corner. I shot it and literally as I let it go I’ve never felt the shot feel better than that. I turned around and looked at JaVale and then just ran off” described Curry of the origin of his iconic shot.
Quite the way to introduce yourself to a future teammate indeed.
JaVale McGee went on to win two NBA championships with Steph Curry
Despite the evidently rocky beginning, Curry and McGee would go on to attain success together. The baby-faced assassin led the homegrown Warriors core to 4 championships and McGee was a part of two such runs.
The Shaqtin’ MVP was a key contributor for the Warriors during their championship runs in 2017 and 2018. As a rotation big, JaVale provided valuable cover to the Warriors’ frontcourt and made 142 regular season appearances for them.
While he may have been a part of various celebratory look-away threes, his role on the opposition might just be the most iconic moment JaVale shares with respect to Steph and his signature move.
