Emily Parker spoke with Marcus Thompson, reporter, sports columnist, and now author of 'Golden', about the faith and skill of basketball star Steph Curry.

Marcus: Oh yes, no question. One of the smart things Steph Curry does is he doesn't purport to be the guy that's like "I'm so strong in my faith that this is not going to be a problem." He's not the guy saying "I'm a Christian, I'm devout and I'm faithful so I can go hang out in the club and I'll be fine." Steph doesn't do that. Steph is like "No, I'm just as susceptible as everyone."

He protects himself by putting a hedge around him, so even in his weakest moments he has a defence mechanism. He doesn't go places where there's going to be a lot of women and alcohol unless his wife is with him. He doesn't participate in certain things just because he knows "I'm one bad decision from this all going the wrong way." He has a circle around him. He has people who're on him.

I remember one story, this might be in the book, but he got caught cursing on TV. It was a play and they showed the highlight and you couldn't hear what he said but you could read his lips. He got a call from his mother. His mother was like "Hey, I don't want you cursing, why are you cursing on TV? What kind of message is that saying?" The reason I know that is because I saw it on TV and I go back to him the next day and I'm like "Ooh Steph, you're cursing on TV," and he's like, "I know, my mother already got on me about it." He's got these people in his life who will say "You're leaning the wrong way here. You're getting a little loose here." He keeps his circle really tight.

Marcus Thompson (photo: Jordan Jiminez)

Emily: It's great to know that when you have got the fame and you're living in that world, that you have that network around you. I wonder what could happen if more people set up like that around them.

Marcus: You know, the part that I've learned as someone who's trying to live the same life, it is so easy for them to step outside of it. It is incredibly easy for them. It doesn't even take any work and that's the part that's crazy.

It's insane that he's able to hold up, because if I wanted to go participate in behaviours that I don't believe are right, I have to do some work for it. I have to scheme and convince my wife I'm going somewhere else when I'm supposed to be here. It's a lot of work. All of that stuff is just available to them. It's a step away. All you have to do is say "Here's what I want" and there are lines of people who are begging to get it for you. That's the part that makes it so amazing that he's able to do it, because any other normal person would slip up at minimum frequently, because everything they want is available. Everything. It's right there and there's a line of people who want to be the one to deliver to you. So you really have to be diligent about it. He's more diligent than the typical proclaimer of Christ that I run into on a daily basis, because he has to be. If he doesn't, it could get ugly real fast.

Emily: Going back to the book, why was it that you decided to write about Steph and get to the point where we've got this book in front of us, that you're now able to tell the world about him?

Marcus: You want to know the real reason or the PR reason?

Emily: Both.

Marcus: All right, the PR reason is Steph is a dynamic figure; he's a player that we've never seen before. He's captivated so many people because he's a little guy and we just haven't seen anything like this before. Normally NBA players, the superstars, they are like genetic freaks. They're specimens and it makes sense why they are where they are. LeBron was born to be a basketball star. Steph was born to work at Starbucks. He just happened to develop a basketball skill. So that's the PR answer.

The real answer is somebody said, "Hey, we want this book and we want you to write it and we're going to pay you" and I was like, "You're going to pay me?" and they were like, "Yeah we're going to pay you," so I was like "Alright let's do it." That's the real reason.

Emily: Who would you say this book is aimed at and why should people read it?

Marcus: Because it's a story of inspiration. It's an example of a good guy winning. I think, especially in these times in our world, that's important.

If you have a young person who is trying to develop self-confidence; trying to learn how to believe in themselves; trying to learn how to dream and pursue it, then this is a great book.