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By D.G. Martin

In their article in the April 28 New York Times and in The Athletic, the writers Elise Devlin, Doug Haller and Jayson Jenks ask “What makes Stephen Curry a leader?

“Ask those who know him best,” they suggest.

Curry grew up in Charlotte and played at Davidson before joining the Golden State Warriors in 2009.

The writers contacted players and staff, including those at Davidson and Golden State.

They learned lessons that might help others become better leaders.

Here is a sample of the many comments that show Curry’s leadership:

Khalid Robinson, who has worked with Golden State for nine years. “He’s going to get his focused work in, but within that he’s going to have fun and enjoy himself, and I think that’s a part of his leadership style.”

Lachlan Penfold, head of physical performance, at Golden State: “There’s this saying: ‘Great leadership is about allowing others to shine.’ And that’s Steph.”

Jim Fox (Davidson assistant): “He wants to be the best player in the world but also wants to be the best teammate in the world.”

Andrew Lovedale (Davidson forward): “My coach, Bob McKillop, always said: ‘Be a shining star. Do not be a shooting star.’ A shooting star can just go up there and be beautiful and create all the buzz. But then it disappears. What a shining star does is it stays up there and, for a very long period of time, it gives light to everyone. That’s the model for Steph’s leadership.”

Steve Rossiter (Davidson forward): Steph always went out of his way to just be one of the guys.

Steve Kerr (Golden State head coach): “You automatically respect the guys who are the best players in the league. Automatic. And Steph is one of the best players of all time. So he already has the respect and then he goes into the locker room and there’s this authentic humility and compassion for his teammates. That’s so rare. I think that’s the key to his leadership. This amazing combination of those two traits.”

The writers remind us that “in his 16-year NBA career, Curry has developed into one of the extraordinary leaders of his era. Not overtly demanding or vocal, he challenges traditional ideas of leadership and provides a framework in which to cajole, rally and inspire. At the heart of his leadership style is one word, repeated by teammates, coaches and staff members: joy.”

Joy!

Even in losing Curry finds some positive experience.

The questions left for us are, first, can we learn from Curry to look for the joy as we face the challenges in our lives? And in the lives of those who are closest to us, even though none of us will never have Curry’s great athletic talents

Secondly, can we insist that our political leaders employ the positive, friendly and respectful approach in dealing with our own teams and rivals?

Can we find and share the joy Curry demonstrates?

We can, at least, try.

D.G. Martin, a retired lawyer, served as UNC-System’s vice president for public affairs and hosted PBS-NC’s North Carolina Bookwatch.

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