Moody, Warriors share a mutual respect that led to a contract extension originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Respect means a lot to Moses Moody and always has, ever since he had a conversation with Stephen Curry’s point guard as a Warriors rookie three years ago.
The message? Be respected by the people you respect.
“That really stuck with me,” Moody said Monday at Chase Center. “You want people to like you, you want to be respected by everyone, but then what about the people who don’t like you? Will you be different so that they will respect you? But for the people that you respect, for them to see you and have that real kind of interaction, it’s something that I put a lot of weight on.”
The Warriors showed Moody a lot of respect when they handed him over three-year, $39 million contract extension just hours before he would become a restricted free agent.
The deal ensures the Warriors will continue to have one of the most important pieces to their puzzle for the next few seasons, and gives Moody the kind of life-changing contract he’s been hoping for since entering the league as the No. 14 overall pick. pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
“I couldn’t be more excited for Moses and his family,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s everything we want in our program, our organization. The character, the work ethic, the resilience. He won this and I’m thrilled for him”
Certainly, the Warriors have made it abundantly clear that they wanted Moody back in the mix for more than just his skills on the court. He is one of the most popular fixtures in Golden State’s locker room and has been widely praised for his nose-to-the-grindstone and do-whatever-it-costs mentality.
And at 22, many people believe Moody is only scratching the surface of what lies ahead.
“We obviously want to invest in people and people we believe in,” Kerr said. “The players have to be talented, they have to fit in with what you’re trying to do. But it’s ultimately investing in people you believe in. Moses, he is that person.”
There hasn’t been much noise coming from the Warriors’ front office about extensions for Moody or Jonathan Kumingaboth of whom are at pivotal junctures in their respective careers. Word of Moody’s deal came late Sunday evening, but it wasn’t finalized until paper was put to pen Monday afternoon.
For Moody, it was a fairly simple decision once the deal was offered.
“One of the things I like so much about this organization is the people here,” Moody said before listing names like Kerr, Curry, Draymond Green and general manager Mike Dunleavy “For them to have those feelings and have those things to say about me is really great.”
After receiving news of the deal, Moody made a phone call to his parents in Arkansas to let them know. He later received a call from Green congratulating him, then took a few moments to let it all soak in.
“Things go quickly, especially when money is involved,” Moody said. “You get excited and all that, but really just slow it down and appreciate what it is and opportunities it opens up.”
