MANILA, Philippines — The debate for the "greatest of all time" or "GOAT" in basketball is one that will never end.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry — a contender for such a title — however, he sees himself more akin to a literal goat, an animated one that is.
Curry co-produced and lent his voice to the upcoming animated sports movie "Goat", which a follows a goat named Will who is given the chance to play professional roarball, the in-universe version of basketball.
"In a sport dominated by the fiercest and largest animals in the world, Will is on an uphill battle to prove to himself and the world that anyone can be on the court," goes the film's synopsis.
Goat x Goat. The four-time champion, two-time Most Valuable Player award winner, and league leader for three-pointers shared in a statement that he relates to the movie's story.
"My journey resembles Will's — being overlooked, underrated — but finding your self-confidence through it all," Curry said. "It's about the power of the team: No matter what walk of life, you can't do anything great without the people around you."
Curry added that it was cool bringing that aspect into "Goat" given its relatability to both his story and everybody else.
The athlete said further that he wanted to showcase the culture of sport into animation, bringing his world off the basketall court and into the silver screen.
"We included the accessories, the clothes, a dope soundtrack — the cultural references that everybody can laugh at and appreciate," Curry said.
He even went as far to call "Goat" a "timeless story" where a viewing two decades from now would transport people back in time.
Related: WATCH: Trailer for 'Goat' starring, produced by Steph Curry drops
Underdogs. "Stranger Things" star Caleb McLaughlin, who voices Will, similarly has a soft spot for the film's story and its main character.
"I think underdog stories hit people because we've all felt like underdogs at some point,” he says. "We all start from a low place and have to push through our own version of concrete. And when you finally reach a goal, you remember the moments you struggled, or wanted to give up, but didn't."
He added, "People doubt you along the way, and I think audiences relate to that. These stories usually find people right at the moment they feel like quitting, and watching an underdog win reminds them to keep going."
Curry's fellow co-producer on the film Michelle Raimo Kouyate elaborated on how roarball is entwined with nature and the biomes animals call home.
"They can make use of all of their animal attributes," said Kouyate. "They run on two paws, four paws, use their tails, horns, snouts, wings, tongues — anything goes."
That aspect of the game is where prejudice against smaller creatures playing such a dangerous game comes into the picture, says another co-producer David Schulenburg.
"In our world, there's no difference between bigs and smalls as far as the culture is concerned," he said ."But roarball is so dangerous — the pace, the terrains — the idea that a small goat would play the game is just unheard of."
Co-director Adam Rosette ends by saying "Goat" speaks to the universal desire of following one's dreams, and seeing them realized.
"It represents what it's like to have a dream, not only what it's like to play sports," he says. "It's about Will's dream, which just happens to be becoming a pro roarball player. If you've ever had a dream — something that you aspire to be — this movie is for you."
"Goat" premieres in Philippine cinemas beginning February 11.