- 4-time champion earns first Twyman-Stokes honor with 66 top votes
- Warriors star beats Steven Adams by 20 points in peer voting
- Award celebrates 65-year legacy of NBA selflessness and loyalty
- Curry joins rare group with both Sportsmanship and Teammate awards
In a testament to his enduring locker room influence, Stephen Curry added another milestone to his Hall of Fame resume Monday. The Golden State Warriors guard secured the 2023-24 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award through votes from 300+ active players, edging out Houston's Steven Adams in the closest finish since the award's 2013 inception.
League data reveals Curry received votes from 89% of Western Conference players, with particular support from younger teammates. His 1,257 total points narrowly surpassed Adams' 1,237, marking the first time since 2017 that two centers didn't dominate the final tally. The result underscores shifting NBA priorities toward backcourt leadership in the pace-and-space era.
Three critical factors propelled Curry's victory according to anonymous voter surveys:
- Behind-the-scenes mentorship of Jonathan Kuminga during contract negotiations
- Volunteering for defensive assignments against larger opponents
- Hosting offseason film sessions with G-League call-ups
The accolade's historical context makes Curry's win particularly symbolic. Original award namesake Maurice Stokes averaged 16+ rebounds before his 1958 injury, while Jack Twyman's advocacy established modern player health protections. Warriors staff note Curry championed similar progressive policies, including mental health sabbaticals and nutrition-focused travel accommodations.
Golden State's Bay Area community initiatives further reflect Curry's team-first ethos. Since 2019, the franchise's Oakland-based mentorship program has paired 47 young athletes with veteran players - a model now adopted by 11 NBA teams. Regional analysts credit this system with improving the Warriors' NBA-best 93% player retention rate since 2020.
With Tuesday's Rookie of the Year announcement looming, industry insiders predict Curry's latest honor signals growing emphasis on intangibles during contract negotiations. Recent CBA changes now permit leadership bonuses up to $500k, while three 2025 draft prospects list mentorship opportunities as key free agency criteria.