In the NBA, supporters who passionately support a specific team or player for their entire life are referred to as "super fans".Umj23, an ardent fan of the NBA's popular team, the Golden State Warriors, and its ace, Stephen Curry, supported by Rakuten, embodies such fan culture in Japan.I asked about their past activities as fans, and the real thrill of it.

“I started watching Curry’s plays since 2014.It all started when I received a message on LINE from my NBA-loving father saying, “There’s an amazing player in the NBA.”

As someone who was passionate about the NBA during the 90s when the Chicago Bulls were at their peak, Curry’s performance and behavior overturned the image of NBA players I had until then.I used to view NBA players as embodying the “fighting spirit”, synonymous with the stereotypical “athletic club” image. However, Curry seemed to play with such joy, innocence, and rich emotion.Furthermore, during the off-season event in Japan for the 2014-15 season, seeing Curry interact and play with the children up close, I thought, “It’s wonderful to see a player play with such happiness.”It made me want to support them, thus my “favorite activities” began.

Collecting uniforms, shoes worn by models, related goods, and apparel goods produced by Curry, watching the game on video, and so on…Currently, I have about 30 uniforms and 50 pairs of shoes.Once a year, I arrange a week-long viewing tour with my NBA-loving friends, and we watch the games live regardless of whether they’re home or away. Moreover, whenever there’s a promotional tour in Asia, I always make sure to go to the location.

I was able to get a signature on my uniform during my first local game-watching in 2015.Perhaps because Curry rose from a place of low esteem, he greatly cherishes his fans. After warming up before a game, he signs autographs for the fans who have gathered.The game I attended was an away game, but despite that, Curry was extremely popular, and there were many people flocking in the aisles wanting to get his autograph.While I was getting jostled around, I somehow managed to extend the hand holding the uniform into the aisle. When I pulled it back, I realized, “Oh, they’ve taken it!”It feels like that.I didn’t really feel it (laughs).

Perhaps that’s why, I want them to write more beautifully, or to write a sign without omission, or to attach the message “I can do all things” that Curry writes on his shoes, my desires keep increasing, and my fandom activities are heating up (laughs).Every time I go to America, I get signatures and buy memorabilia (valuable goods with player’s signatures) at auctions or authorized shops. Now, I have about 30 to 40 of Curry’s signatures.

The most passionate memory I have is probably when I got an autograph up close for the first time in 2019, and had a two-shot photo taken.The hottest topic includes the sequence of events where Curry’s uniform worn in this match was later won at an auction, and a long-awaited signed message was obtained during last year’s Japan Games.By the way, this uniform was quite expensive, and my daughter had just been born, but miraculously, my wife gave me the go-ahead and I was able to win the auction (laughs).

“Isn’t it difficult to support an American athlete who is so far away?”.I am sometimes asked that, but even from afar, I feel empowered and through my support activities, I have made friends with curry fans all over the world. I feel connected to them, so I do not experience any hardship or frustration.Perhaps it’s because Curry greatly values his teammates and friends, but Curry’s fans from every country are all wonderful people.When my daughter was born, I received congratulations from overseas as well.

Above all, because it’s not easy to just go and meet, going to America with the money earned from working hard is something very special, and it becomes a source of motivation to “strive to be able to go again”.Maybe that’s why, even when I wake up at 4 AM to watch a game and then go straight to work, I surprisingly don’t think “this is tough”. Instead, I might be able to work happily thinking, “the players are working so hard, I can’t afford to lose either”.

There are several things I would like to achieve as a fan in the future.One is to take my wife and daughter to a game in America.The second thing is to build a house, create your own study, and beautifully display the collected goods.And the third thing is to have a conversation with Curry.I can’t speak English, so even when I have such opportunities, I always get nervous and can’t say anything. But, I want to convey, “I am truly grateful for enriching my life” someday.

The left one is the jersey I first got signed in 2017.The one on the right is something I received during my visit to Japan for the Japan Game last year.He signed my actual game jersey and wrote his motto, “I Can do all things….” on it.

A portion of the jersey collection owned by umj23.This is the 75th anniversary model of the NBA from 2022, where GSW won it all.

The jersey was custom made, belonging to the North Carolina NFL team “Carolina Panthers”, which is Curry’s hometown team.I received the right shoe when I watched a game in Houston in 2019.All signed.

In 2018, I watched a game at GSW’s home ground, the Oracle Arena.

In 2019, the long-awaited first meeting with Curry took place.I gave a specially made wooden tag as a gift.

In the 2022 Japan Game Tour, a teacup illustrated in Ukiyo-e style featuring Curry’s family was presented as a gift.

INTERVIEW & TEXT: Miho Aoki