‘Baby Face Assassin,’ that name for Stephen Curry didn’t just come about for no reason. He has every quality required in a franchise cornerstone. But unlike most, he’s quiet, always keeping a smile on his face and still producing miracles on the court. The reason for his happiness is simple. He loves the sport of basketball.

Faith plays a big role. Curry is always grateful to be blessed with talent and to make the most out of it every day. The game itself is his sanctuary, where he can be someone different, hiding the “killer instinct” behind his smile. So far, balancing life with the game has been a pleasure for the four-time champion. But once that stops, Stephen Curry feels that will be the moment he can hang up his sneakers.

“Basketball is still fun to me. Like when I’m out on the court, happy place.  If I lose that then it’s probably time to quit,” he told LeBron James and Steve Nash on Mind the Game. But it’s not always fun. Outside the court, Curry has several other responsibilities as a role model, a father, and a husband.

That part of life throws curveballs. So, the two-time MVP practices approaching the game with joy.

“There’s a part of it too that’s a little bit of intentionality like don’t let. Yeah. like you have to address stuff that happens. Life is unfair at times and there’s a lot of things that you know you’re balancing and all the different roles we play as a man. But I try not to allow that to creep in on the sanctity of like basketball because I know like it’s not going to be around forever,” he added.

That smile and ever-positive mindset are what have sculpted his legend. Through all the adversity, Stephen Curry is able to express himself freely on the court. And while the day of retirement looms closer with each season, Curry is focused on the present.

Stephen Curry appears far from done with basketball

Even at 37, Curry’s eyes glisten when the big moment arrives. Whether it’s the same pre-game routine or hitting the decisive shots, it all reaps satisfaction. Outside the court, he is composed, always smiling. On the court, it’s a different side of Curry. He’s still calm, but it’s the place where he can express himself fully.

Every animated reaction and celebration helps him stay young. And to that point, Stephen Curry is still balling out. He recently joined Michael Jordan as the player with the most 40-point games since turning 30. Furthermore, with him, the Warriors’ offense works in symphony.

With him on the court, the Warriors average 77.9 points, their highest mark with a single player on the floor. Curry ranks second in three-pointers made, despite missing a few games due to injury. It shows that with a basketball in his hand, the Baby Face Assassin is still as lethal as ever. Invoking such passion wouldn’t be possible if that joy didn’t flow through him in his 17 season.

Although he knows the day he retires will come much sooner than before, he wants to make the most out of what’s left. “I’m trying not to put any time stamps or anything, other than the sense of urgency in the now,” he told Kendra Andrews in an interview. From his demeanor, basketball still gives him the same elation it did when he first knew it was something he wanted to pursue.

With that in mind, Curry isn’t ruling out a second Olympics appearance in 2028 either. Before Paris, it was concerns about injuries. But if he is to appear again, Curry will listen to his body. “It is the opposite answer what I told him last year. It’s like, God willing, I still have the choice and the physical option to be like, I could actually impact the team,” he said about it. While he does doubt his participation, you can’t rule it out.

For Stephen Curry, each day is about proving the naysayers wrong. First, they doubted his size, and now, it’s his  age that puts doubts on his ability to produce. Yet, he is averaging 27.4 points, his most over the last three seasons. Nothing suggests that hunger is going to leave anytime soon.

Until it does, Curry is going to keep producing moments of magic.