Analysis Stephen Curry is better than ever but the Warriors are
1The greatest shooter in NBA history has become famous for his expressiveness in gleeful times, bounding around the court, pounding his chest and even putting opponents to bed when necessary. But Stephen Curry has long possessed remarkable composure when facing adverse circumstances, avoiding the slumped shoulders, finger-pointing and profane tirades that can become commonplace when losses mount. Late in the third quarter of a blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors star exhibited a rare breach of decorum. After teammate Andrew Wiggins was called for a foul, Curry’s frustration bubbled to the surface and he punched the basketball high into the air. The moment passed quickly: Before the whistle blew for a technical foul, Curry had, true to form, already calmed down and chased after the ball in an effort to return it to an official. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the trying times that have marked the beginning of their title defense figure to be longer lasting than Curry’s split-second vent session. In a season that was cast as perhaps the “Last Dance” for a veteran core that has won four titles in the past eight seasons, Golden State is already grappling with the fact that only Curry has consistently stayed on beat. Well before he capped last season with a signature triumph in the Finals, Curry opened the campaign by playing the best basketball of his career. The 14-year veteran has been even better through the first month of this season, averaging 32. 8 points, 6. 8 rebounds and 6. 4 assists per game. Not only is Curry comfortably above the vaunted 50/40/90 shooting splits, he is averaging more points, rebounds and assists than Michael Jordan did during the Chicago Bulls’ “Last Dance” run of 1997-98. At 34, Curry has blended expert technique, mental mastery and improved strength in a devastatingly efficient and consistent package rarely approached by players in their mid-30s. During the 130-119 loss to the Suns, who were without starters Chris Paul and Cam Johnson, Curry poured in a season-high 50 points, nine rebounds and six assists. And yet Curry’s yeoman work hasn’t been enough to keep the Warriors above water. With its loss to Phoenix, Golden State fell to 6-9 on the season, placing it 12th in the Western Conference. The Warriors are now 0-8 on the road and 1-4 against top-six seeds in either conference thanks to a 27th-ranked defense and a disjointed bench that regularly squanders Curry’s best efforts.“It’s a struggle right now, ” Curry said to reporters, in the aftermath of Golden State’s worst start on the road in 33 years. “Let’s keep it real. We have to understand that it’s going to be really hard to dig yourself out of the situation we’re in because there’s a lot of issues. But it’s not anything we can’t overcome. ”As Golden State was run off the court by Phoenix, Coach Steve Kerr scolded his team for its “pickup game” approach and lack of trust in each other.
All data is taken from the source: http://washingtonpost.com
Article Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/11/17/stephen-curry-is-better-than-ever-warriors-are-floundering/
#curry #newsnbc #newstodaylocal #newstodayworld #newsworldfox #cnnnewstoday #