Curry brothers' WCF Family Reunion is a testament to their perseverance

It felt as if the entire Curry family—including parents Dell and Sonya—got as much camera time as some of the actual players during the first three games of the Western Conference Finals.

While the TV broadcast has probably spent too much time focusing on the First Family of Basketball, there’s good reason for it: Stephen and Seth Curry facing off against each other at this juncture of the postseason is both historic and special.

Though they’re in two different roles—Stephen is playing 37 minutes per game while Seth is only playing 26 minutes per game—both of them are integral to what their teams try to do. And they’ve spent a good amount of time on the court together and they haven’t shied away from going at each other, like they likely did countless times as kids in the backyard.

They don’t play 1-on-1 anymore—confirmed on Twitter by longtime friend Chris Strachan aka COSeezy—but that lifelong rivalry and familiarity was present, especially during Game 2 where Seth was visibly much more comfortable during his first Conference Finals.

The Golden State Warriors’ star described it as “the coolest experience I’ve had playing against him.”

As if anyone needed more incentive to win than having an NBA Finals berth dangled in front of you, being able to best your brother has clearly inspired each Curry to compete at an even higher level.

Steph is playing like the first ever unanimously-selected MVP. He’s been in complete control and hasn’t forced much with the exception of several moments where he just wanted to go at Seth.

And, in typical Curry family fashion, the “little” brother has not backed down.

Though he’s not known as one of the game’s elite defenders, Seth has, perhaps, the best scouting report on one of basketball history’s greatest offensive weapons. Coming away with four steals in Game 2, including a crucial takeaway late in the fourth quarter, all of those years playing with and against his older brother helped him on the big stage.

Seth had 16 points of his own, knocking down four three-pointers, none bigger than his trey with 1:05 left in the game that put Portland up by one.

Their unique rivalry was on full display with two minutes left in the game.

Trailing by one, Steph drew a foul while shooting a three-pointer. He sunk the first—his 77th consecutive made free throw in the fourth quarter or overtime in the playoff—and then exchanged words with his brother before the second.

“I told he made the first one, I told him that’s like 70 in a row. I tried to jinx him a little bit. He’s like, ‘All right, it’s going to be 72.’ He made them both so he wasn’t fazed,” Portland’s Curry said after the game.

Though he couldn’t get much going in Game 3, Seth showed that he’s very familiar with Steph, stealing the ball away from him again. Once more, though, Steph got the last laugh.

The Warriors’ star took over late as his team mounted a comeback. Towards the end of the game, he continuously attacked Seth off the dribble and got to the rim with relative ease, celebrating one of his layups with a little shimmy right in front of his Blazer brother.

Golden State has a 3-0 lead over Portland, but regardless of the outcome of the series, meeting at this point in the season with so much on the line is something their entire family can be proud of.

The two Curry brothers are at different places in their career—one is a future Hall of Famer and the other is currently a reserve—but both are contributing to championship-contending teams.

And it’s important to note just how remarkable their achievements are despite their differences in resumés.

Stephen and Seth have been counted out throughout their careers. Disrespected and overlooked because of their size, upbringing, skillsets, and whatever else people decided to not like about them.

They weren’t crowned as phenoms or given spots on teams because of who they are or who their dad is; they had to take it.

Steph led the NBA into a new age by force, changing the very fabric of the game off the strength of his ability after having his talent, role, and durability questioned at every turn.

Seth caved out a spot for himself—despite being doubted by his own coach, the legendary George Karl—and has turned himself into a player that will have a spot in the NBA for years to come.

On the surface, the historic nature of this clash of Currys is special because one can only imagine how much they pushed each other growing up; battling in backyards, parks, and gyms all over the country until they each set off on their own respective paths.

But more importantly, their long and arduous journeys have led them to this pivotal matchup where, once again, they’re going to have to will themselves towards the next stage, just like they have at every other point in their careers.