With 45 points and 8 three-pointers last night, Stephen Curry has made history yet again — he’s the best shooter we’ve seen, and he’s undoubtedly league MVP
Stephen Curry. The best shooter in NBA history? That’s starting to seem like the only way we can describe him now.
There are no adjectives left to say just how well he can shoot a basketball. Other than historical, I don’t even know what to write anymore. And now he’s broken his own record for the most three-pointers in a season and has set three of the top five seasons for total three-point field goals made by himself.
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That is why we love Chef Curry.
In a 116-105 win at home over the Portland Trail Blazers last night, the Golden State Warriors continued to define themselves as the class of the NBA by earning their 64th win. Everyone showed up, which has been the case all year for a team that has continued to excel in every nuance of the game under the leadership of head coach Steve Kerr (who now holds the record for most wins by a coach in their rookie season). However, we already knew that the Warriors have set the standard this year.
Last night, was all about the Stephen Curry show.
With pull-up threes in transition, using his handles to leave Damian Lillard clueless, or just shooting off screens with his instant, smooth release, Curry dropped 45 points on 17 of 23 shooting. Take into account his 8 of 13 tally from deep, and he only missed one of his two-point field goals. They weren’t all easy either.
Other than maybe a healthy Kevin Durant, there isn’t anyone else in the league who can do that with such ease. And no one, can do it with the consistency that Curry can.
Last night’s performance was his 16th 30+ point game of the season and his third game with at least 40. So whilst his yearly averages hardly serve his immense skill justice, he’s now averaging 23.9 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2 steals in just over 32 minutes per game. Not only that, but his efficiency has increased as well (as if that was even possible).
He’s leading the league in free throw percentage with 91.5 percent, shooting 44.2 percent from three-point range, and – excluding the 2011-12 season when he played just 26 games – a career best 48.6 percent from the floor overall. If that wasn’t enough, he also ranks third in the league in player efficiency, with a rating of 27.9.
Add on the fact that he can use his ball handling and hesitation moves to get to the basket with ease, and that he’s making 68.5 percent of his layups, and there’s no way to deny that Curry is one of the most skilled players to ever step onto a basketball court. And judging by the trend that most players reach their peak at around 26-27 years of age, Curry is just getting started. So don’t be surprised if after the next five years Steph has inked his name on virtually every top-ten spot of the best three-point seasons ever.
This year however, isn’t just about the three-point bombs and crossovers that leave Chris Paul helplessly lying on the floor; this season, is about Stephen Curry’s MVP case.
If you want to read a full breakdown of the MVP race and it’s top three candidates, this piece I wrote a few weeks ago (I still stand by what I said even if the season has moved on a bit since then) makes my complete argument as to why Curry deserves to be the MVP over the other top two candidates; James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Chris Paul has been catching up, as he’s elevated his game as of late on offense, his on-ball defense has been exceptional as ever, and his Los Angeles Clippers have moved into the 5th seed despite losing Blake Griffin for several weeks.
LeBron James is LeBron James, so he’ll receive praise constantly and, of course, his name is in the discussion.
That being said, what the Warriors have achieved with Curry as their standout this year is deserving of more than just the 1st seed in the Western Conference; they deserve the league MVP as well.
April 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Last night merely put the full stop on Stephen Curry’s season. It was the final statement – a 45 point, 10 assist 73 percent shooting statement – that declared Curry as the best player on the league’s best team.
Obviously Harden’s supporting cast isn’t as strong as Curry’s, but if you take their individual performances alone, how has Curry’s not been more stunning? Of course, Harden is an incredible scorer and yes, his defense has somewhat improved. But what Curry is beginning to do as a scorer (especially after breaking the three-point record again last night) is making history. And as good as Harden’s step back jumpers are, there’s no way he’s a more talented offensive threat than Curry.
Westbrook, on the other hand, has finally stopped recording a triple-double every night and the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-36) have fallen out of the playoff picture and now reside in 9th place. OKC are struggling, so no matter how ferocious Westbrook has been this year, he can’t even be considered if his team aren’t playing in two weeks time.
Ultimately, Golden State have just been too damn good for Curry not to win the MVP award. The depth, coaching, and all around talent is there, but without Curry the Warriors lose a lot of the magic, aura and excitement that has surrounded them all year long.
That’s because Stephen Curry is the one who helps make everything fire on all cylinders.
In a year where the Western Conference has been as loaded as ever, the Warriors have managed to separate themselves from everyone else. Not just slightly, but by a mile. They rank second in offensive rating, first in assist ratio, first in pace, first in three-point percentage, first in field goal percentage, first in true shooting percentage, first in blocks and first in defensive rating. It gets boring reeling off long lists, but the Warriors are just that good right now.
All of that equates to the best point differential (+10.2) by a long way (no one else even surpasses +6.5).
Most importantly, they have 11 more wins than any else in one of the deepest Western Conferences we’ve seen. And more than anyone, that is because of Stephen Curry.