With great power comes great responsibility, as the saying goes. But in the NBA, with great money and fame comes a whole different kind of responsibility, one that, truth be told, has nothing to do with basketball. As the contracts get bigger and the exposure grows, the dangers off the court grow with it. The problem is, they often come in the most subtle and personal ways. That's why awareness is key.
Many young players focus on their game, their brand, and their next deal, forgetting that sometimes, what can derail a career isn't a bad game or a missed shot, it's the wrong person by their side. And what better way to learn than to hear it from someone who's lived through it, the good and the bad.
When Eddy Curry came into the league as the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, he wanted it all. The Chicago native had the size, the athleticism, and the skills to make it big. But off the court, he also wanted something else — a family. He wanted to build that image of a young superstar with a kid in his arms, just like his idol, Allen Iverson .
"Like, as a player, the first thing I wanted to do is to have a kid," Curry said in his recent appearance on the "Out The Mud" podcast. "I grew up watching A.I. bringing his kids to the conferences and all that sh-t."
However, years later and well removed from the NBA spotlight, Curry sees that early decision-making differently. He's now using his experiences — both the successes and the mistakes — to educate young players about what can really cost them when the cameras are off. Because once fame and money enter the picture, real intentions become blurry. And for a young guy who has just signed his $10M+ contract, it can become increasingly difficult to see the difference. And that's perfectly normal; that's when Curry steps in.
"That sh-t cost you, bro. It's hard to pick a wife, or pick a person that you are going to wanna be with for that long. And to know, to be able to trust somebody like that. That's damn near impossible at that age. Especially with that kind of money, with that kind of exposure," the retired big man added. "You gotta lock in."
Curry now spends much of his free time speaking to young and up-and-coming players about the lurking dangers that come with fame and money.
The NBA Players Association has made it one of its priorities to guide players through those early stages of success, and Curry is one of the voices helping them stay aware. He often explains how young players can easily become victims of their own success, blinded by big contracts and surrounded by people, especially women, who don't always have the best intentions.
For the former Chicago Bulls big man, the lesson came the hard way. He was one of many players who had to learn how quickly the NBA lifestyle can take a toll when personal life becomes chaotic. He had his share of financial issues, relationship troubles and trust problems that followed him long after his playing days were over… but that's a story for another day.
Today, he uses those lessons to help others avoid the same mistakes.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
