This is not just a day for mathematicians and/or pi(e) aficionados to celebrate. For those of us who watch this silly sport, this person’s birthday has truly changed our lives. Yes, this is Steph Curry’s 36th birthday.

Happy birthday, Steph.

It’s customary to give gifts to individuals on their birthdays, but in honour of the man who altered (ruined?) the game, I’m going to change (ruin?) the birthday game. Instead of giving it to him, I’m going to suggest that Curry give it to us...  
Steph, please come back. Please. Just please, please. You must give us a birthday present. or a similar item.

Curry does appear to be on the verge of a return, as the Dubs hope to have him available for their Saturday game against the Lakers. The Warriors are lucky because without him, they have been essentially helpless. The Warriors have lost at home to the Spurs, defeated the Spurs, and lost to the Dallas Mavericks after he hurt his ankle with four minutes remaining in the game against the Chicago Bulls.

It hasn’t been fun, and the run they appeared ready to go on has ended, despite coach Steve Kerr’s continued optimism.

Even though we all want Curry to return, I believe we should just respect the man and put aside our own self-serving objectives.

Birthdays are always memorable, but for Curry, it’s also a chance to consider how far he’s gone and how, historically, NBA stars were perceived to be limping to the finish line at his age. Curry is averaging 26.9 points per game; if he keeps up this rate, he will become just the fourth player in NBA history to average 26 points per game in a season when they are 35 or older, following LeBron James thrice, Kevin Durant, and Alex English.

Having elevated the bar for jump shooters for over a decade, he is currently collaborating with James and Durant to elevate the bar for NBA players who are well into their 30s.