SAN FRANCISCO – Construction for the bridge linking the Golden State Warriors and the San Jose Sharks began in 2018 and has inched along ever since. It has accelerated significantly over the past two weeks, and the teams hope completion is just a few years away.
The hope stems from rising San Jose star Macklin Celebrini, who looks capable of grabbing a particular torch from Golden State superstar Stephen Curry: Bay Area’s Most Watchable Athlete.
And taking the Sharks along for the ride.
The torch will rest in Curry’s hands until he retires, as he has done a splendid job extending the autumn of his career. But he turns 38 next month and realizes the road ahead shortens by the hour.
Celebrini turns 20 in June and already is among the most watchable young talents on the global hockey stage. His first Winter Olympics, where he exhibited the advanced skills of an All-Star, put the wind at his back. He’s in his second season with the Sharks and his future projections are much grander than those of Curry in Year 2 with the Warriors.
Celebrini’s father, Rick, laid the foundation of the bridge to Curry and the Warriors. He is the team’s vice president of player health and performance and has been in that role since the 2018-19 season. Macklin, during adolescence, spent plenty of time around Curry and the Warriors, absorbing the environment and the exemplar that is Curry.
“We’ve talked about that for years,” Rick Celebrini said Friday. “I do think there’s benefit, there’s value in that. Not just with Steph and the environment here, but our relationship with Steve Nash and my work previously with the Vancouver Canucks, and then being exposed to that environment. I think what it does is it demystifies it. It makes it more human and not so superhuman.”
Curry’s arrival led directly to the Warriors’ rise, from the NBA outback to the best the league had to offer. From lottery regulars to five consecutive trips to The Finals. From three consecutive seasons with more than 60 losses to five in a row with more than 55 wins. From one playoff appearance in 18 seasons to four championships.
From zero All-Stars for 15 seasons to Curry becoming the league’s only unanimous MVP in 2015-16 – all while the franchise becomes exponentially more valuable.
And when Curry won his first NBA Finals MVP Award in 2022, Rick was in the room for the celebration. Macklin, 15 years old and two years removed from the San Jose Jr. Sharks program, could no more than embrace a bit of vicarious joy from Golden State’s achievement.
Rick Celebrini felt, well, as if he was in the right place. That sense is even stronger now that his son is playing NHL hockey less than an hour’s drive to the south and the Warriors have become charter members of Macklin’s growing fan club.
That applies not only to Curry and coach Steve Kerr but also to CEO Joe Lacob, general manager Mike Dunleavy, assistant GM Kirk Lacob and the entire roster.
“I’ve told people that I don’t think I’d be in the NBA if it wasn’t for this organization,” Celebrini said. “It’s special. It’s different. And the main reason that is special is because it goes beyond sort of just professional relationship. People actually care about each other, and that’s from the top. Joe and Mike and Steve and Kirk.
“But we definitely felt that (connection). Steve was actually telling me again today just how they kind of delayed the film session when it was the last two minutes of the game and the guys were truly interested in the outcome and how Mack was doing.”
That euphoria of that moment, the team’s first title with Celebrini on the payroll, could be felt from Curry and core teammates Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, all the way to the Celebrinis.
When Macklin was drafted No. 1 overall by the Sharks in 2024, he was hailed as a potential franchise player. Curry was not tagged with similar potential until 2012-13, his fourth season with the Warriors, and second consecutive in the NBA playoffs.
Golden State guard-forward Gary Payton II suggested last week that Macklin could join such NHL legends as Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. In which case, multiple MVPs are conceivable and trips to the playoffs become routine.
The Sharks are not there yet, but after bottoming out for years, they clearly are ascending. As is Celebrini.
There was a time when the Warriors weren’t there yet but clearly were rising. As was Curry.
Is it possible that some of Curry’s magic can, by osmosis, land upon young Macklin and make its way to San Jose?
“It’s really more a question for (Macklin),” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “But there can’t be a better example someone to learn from than Steph. Not only just from watching him, but Steph is so generous with his ideas and his advice. I know he’s formed a connection, so I’m sure (Macklin) can learn a lot from him.”
The talent and work ethic, by all accounts, are there. The competitive drive is evident. A kid with high aspirations rubbing shoulders with successful professionals can only help.
The Bay Area awaits, while visualizing its next MWA.
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