Underrated is a slam dunk look at the early days of Chef Curry

The baby-faced assassin gets his flowers from director Peter Nicks in the crowd-pleasing documentary Stephen Curry: Underrated from A24 and Apple TV. While I can’t dribble a ball, I’ve always felt the sport of Basketball is the perfect platform for a player to showcase their true personality. Unlike hockey or football, no helmets or facemasks exist, and only nine players are allowed on the court. This antidote creates an atmosphere where the player’s athleticism, passion, and joy are fully exposed for everyone to see.

Although Stephen Curry may not be the most talkative personality in the NBA, he is not reserved. When you watch the highlights of his championship wins or game-winning shots with the Golden State Warriors, it’s evident that he is not afraid to express his emotions during high-pressure moments. Curry grew up in a sports-oriented environment with a family of athletes, including his father and brother, who played in the NBA.

The beginning of  Stephen Curry: Underrated shows that he has several championship rings and has achieved great success in his career. However, the documentary’s main focus is not on whether this is true but on why he has achieved such success. Director Peter Nicks chooses to delve into Curry’s college years to uncover the answer.

The documentary highlights Steph Curry’s journey from an undervalued point guard to a national sensation at Davidson College. Flashbacks to the mid-2000s show how he rose to fame because of his on-court talent and his carefree and playful personality off the court. 

When we look back to 2008, Asher Roth was due to become the next big thing in Hip Hop, the MCU was kicking off, and Barrack Obama was running for president. Steph Curry and his team’s NCAA tournament appearances turned a small North Carolina liberal arts college into a sensation across the country for a brief period.

Underrated may be an enjoyable film with a few entertaining glimpses, but it falls short of making a compelling argument for its existence. The input from Curry’s teammates and coaches, including Bob McKillop, who the Davidson court takes its name after, could be more extensive. Additionally, the Wildcats’ 2008 footage may be more appropriate for an exclusive, short film at the NCAA Hall of Champions or an episode of 30 for 30.

Finally, in hearing about Steph Curry’s gameplay, were hear more from Jim Nantz, Gus Johnson, and Sean McDonough’s commentary than from Steph himself. Curry’s career narrative is already well-established, and die-hard fans of Steph won’t learn anything new. However, those who jumped on the Golden State bandwagon in 2015 should give it a view.

Final Grade: B+

Stephen Curry: Underrated is available to stream tomorrow on Apple TV.