All Pain, All Gain

Seth Curry is seizing the moment

Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose tore his MCL last week, effectively ending his season.  Grizzlies' Marc Gasol sprained his MCL and is out indefinitely.  These are earth-shattering injuries that can alter an entire team's road to a championship.  Both men are difficult to replace; Rose, a former NBA regular season MVP, and Gasol, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, are clear standouts at their respective positions.

While they continue to rehab their injuries either via surgery or physical therapy, there are those looking for an opportunity.  The NBA D-League is full of talent salivating at the hope of a call-up, a desire to fulfill a lifelong dream.

Much is the case with Santa Cruz Warriors starting point guard Seth Curry, who has played exceptionally well in the team's first two games this season.  On opening night he made a splash setting a franchise record of 36 points.  He is here, and he wants to be heard. 

It's obvious.  Nobody wants to be in the D-League forever, the dream is to get to the next level.  When asked though, a player will put his team first over his own personal goals.  As is the case with Seth Curry, who has reiterated his desire to improve his game while in Santa Cruz and let the chips fall as they may.

Nov. 6: Media Day:

"I just want to get better, work on my game every day, continue to show what I can do on a full-time basis,"

Nov. 22: Postgame after 36 point effort when asked of a potential call-up:

"I'm just trying to play well, that’s not in my control.  I'm just trying to focus on what I can control,"

Nov. 24: Postgame when asked about fans on Twitter talking about call-up:

"It doesn't affect me.  I can only focus on what I'm doing here,"

He's saying all the right things.  He puts his team's priorities over his own self-preservation.  He has to focus on being a better player.  If anything he has shown he can facilitate an offense with just a short amount of preparation.

Let's remember, training camp for the D-League team opened up on Nov. 6.  This team had 16 days to prepare before their first regular season game (only eight days if you count preseason).  It's not like the NBA where teams have months of preparation to put a team on the court. And in the here today, gone tomorrow status of players, chemistry can clearly be an issue.

Not for Curry.  He's owned his ability on the court.  Unselfish, he's averaging 8.5 assists per game to go with his 23 points.  The only issue he's faced is early foul trouble, limiting his minutes early in both contests.

The shadow of doubt was cast after a shin injury prevented him from working out with most teams.  Not only that, but expectations remain high with a brother helping to resurrect a once dead-on-arrival team every year.

  What can he do other than let his game speak for himself? That's what his opportunity with the Santa Cruz Warriors has provided him, and why the D-League has become a successful enterprise for the Association.

It's the calm before the storm, and Seth is about to light the D-League ablaze, one play at a time.