Long time Golden State Warriors beat reporter Marcus Thompson has released a new book titled, “Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry,” in which he describes a bizarre story about former Warriors coach Mark Jackson trying to heal Stephen Curry's surgically repaired ankle back in 2012.
As the story goes, following Steph's ankle surgery, Mark Jackson invited several Warriors players to his congregation, True Love Worship Center International in Van Nuys, California.
After Jackson's sermon, his wife and co-pastor Desiree called Steph to the alter, removed his shoes and socks and anointed his ankle with oil in front of everyone. She then demanded the Warriors star to "show us you believe in the power of God," and Steph responded by awkwardly shimmying and hopping on his right foot.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” Curry said.
You can read the full excerpt from the book, via Sports Illustrated, below.
A part of the tradition at Jackson’s church was a spirited service including worshippers jogging along the walls of the congregation in praise. Curry, two days removed from his latest sprain, found himself taking laps with Jackson and the other members filled with the spirit. Then after Jackson’s sermon, his wife and co-pastor, Desiree, continued the worship with an impromptu sermon and benediction. She also called Curry to the altar.
They took off his shoes and socks, anointed his ankle with oil and prayed for healing. The parishioners lifted their voices in chants and amens, calling on God to bless one of His Christian ambassadors. Service at Jackson’s church was much more passionate and engaging than Curry was used to back in Charlotte. But he humbly accepted the blessing that was being offered and returned to his seat with a smile on his face.
“Where you going?” Desiree asked the star point guard in front of the congregation. Curry responded with his go-to look of bewilderment, a half smile and widened eyes. He thought he was supposed to return back among the flock when she was done.
“You don’t get a blessing from the Lord and just walk off!” she shouted. “Show us you believe in the power of God.”
It took Curry a second to understand what she meant. Then the old Bible stories rushed to his mind. Like when Jesus healed the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda, that man had to pick up his mat and walk. If he believed he was healed, he needed to show it.
So Curry started shimmying and hopping on his right foot, much to the delight of the congregation.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” Curry said.