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One thing that was evident from the end of last season and from the Kings pre-season game... Steph has lost a step. He can no longer reliably cook perimeter defenders anytime he wants to get a shot off. I think we will still see flashes of his old ability on some nights, like we did last year. But there will be plenty of nights, perhaps most nights, where he cannot operate that way.

I think as long as Steph adapts and doesn't try to do to much, that won't spell doom for GSW. I like the current squad and think they have an outside shot at 50 wins if the key players play 72+ games. But everyone is going to have to adapt, including Steph.

Yeah, just go back and watch some old games and Curry is significantly quicker. Heck, go watch even some 2022 stuff and Steph looks a beat slower now by comparison. Some nights Steph will be able to turn back the clock (e.g. the Olympics) but it'll be harder during the regular season for him to be as consistent. He is smarter and has more of that veteran savvy stuff -- but harder for him to cook anyone, and his defense has to be covered up for more. It's part of why it was so painful watching Klay in the backcourt with Steph last year, at the time Steph needed a strong defensive backcourt mate the most, Klay couldn't even guard quick guards anymore.

As much as I do like trying to have to a more defensive focus this year, I'm genuinely worried that loading up on Steph is going to be an easier strategy than ever. A stretch 5 or true 2nd option on offense is still a gigantic need (trade, or Kuminga leap). Melton being able to handle a bit is going to be nice, as we had to resort to having Wiggs bring the ball up at times when teams would double Steph at half court. Ultimately we may see Curry off-ball more than we're used to, but that's how aging goes. Luckily Steph is amazing off ball!

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It was painful to watch

This is way I was against any trade including our future (young players/picks) for old George/Butler or Lauri. This team could have 50win season b/c of depth, but 1st rnd exit guaranteed. I predict that he will shoot max at .380 from 3P this season, b/c of tired legs and volume

Curry needs to do some Harden’s head flip back and there would be at least 2 foul calls on those arm checks

floppymoose wrote:One thing that was evident from the end of last season and from the Kings pre-season game... Steph has lost a step. He can no longer reliably cook perimeter defenders anytime he wants to get a shot off. I think we will still see flashes of his old ability on some nights, like we did last year. But there will be plenty of nights, perhaps most nights, where he cannot operate that way.

I think as long as Steph adapts and doesn't try to do to much, that won't spell doom for GSW. I like the current squad and think they have an outside shot at 50 wins if the key players play 72+ games. But everyone is going to have to adapt, including Steph.

So an aging Curry now needs to do less?

And that's why I'll never understand how unnecessary that early 63M team crippling extension was...

Did you guys not watch the Olympics? He was the best player on the floor on a team full of all time greats.

SpreeS wrote:[x]

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It was painful to watch

This is way I was against any trade including our future (young players/picks) for old George/Butler or Lauri. This team could have 50win season b/c of depth, but 1st rnd exit guaranteed. I predict that he will shoot max at .380 from 3P this season, b/c of tired legs and volume

What’s funny is that he still got by him and drew 2 multiple times while he supposedly got clamped.

Steph better get used to it since Kerr wants to put 3 non or maybe shooters on the floor with him.

Onus wrote:What’s funny is that he still got by him and drew 2 multiple times while he supposedly got clamped.

He also got stripped. The issue will be turnovers. If he forces things, there will be too many TOs vs the successful possessions.

I think with the added shooting and additional perimeter defenders Curry will score an efficient 30 in a load managed amount of games

meh - he cooked the best players in the world in the Olympics. he's not as quick, but he's stronger and as good a shot as he's been

however the bigger problem is he needs help and floor spacing more than ever

Steph has more floor spacing than he’s had in years.

floppymoose wrote:Steph has more floor spacing than he’s had in years.

Gp2/ka/dray
Jk/dray/looney
Jk/dray/tjd

Has been the starting front court. Surely we’ve had better spacing before.

Melton, Hield and Moody are the only legit floor spacers right now (obviously not including Steph). Im not sure Podz has the gravity yet.

EvanZ wrote:Melton, Hield and Moody are the only legit floor spacers right now (obviously not including Steph). Im not sure Podz has the gravity yet.

Podz shot is still too slow and he’s still not aggressive enough.

You forgot waters but he’s probably not in the rotation. Also Wiggins should be a decent spacer.

Onus wrote:

EvanZ wrote:Melton, Hield and Moody are the only legit floor spacers right now (obviously not including Steph). Im not sure Podz has the gravity yet.

Podz shot is still too slow and he’s still not aggressive enough.

You forgot waters but he’s probably not in the rotation. Also Wiggins should be a decent spacer.

Wiggins doesn’t qualify “right now”.

To me a floor spacer is someone you want taking an open 3 if Steph is doubled (in no order):

Dray
JK
Wiggins
Podz
Melton
Hield
Moody
Waters
GP2
Slowmo

Non-spacers:
TDJ
Looney

floppymoose wrote:To me a floor spacer is someone you want taking an open 3 if Steph is doubled (in no order):

Dray
JK
Wiggins
Podz
Melton
Hield
Moody
Waters
GP2
Slowmo

Non-spacers:
TDJ
Looney

A floor spacer is literally someone who spaces the floor, meaning they draw defenders towards the perimeter. If Draymond or JK are left unguarded BY DEFINITION that is not floor spacing. If they can hit those shots ENOUGH eventually the hope is they become floor spacers. But no, it's not actually floor spacing no matter how many open shots you hit if you don't actually space the floor. You have to be a good enough shooting threat to create a gravitational pull on the defense.

Now look, like I said, if JK consistently hits those open 3's eventually defenses will react to it. That's absolutely what we want. When that happens I will gladly acquiesce that he's become a floor spacer. But until that time, he's just a guy who has hit some open shots. He hasn't fundamentally changed the way we run the offense.

floppymoose wrote:To me a floor spacer is someone you want taking an open 3 if Steph is doubled (in no order):

Dray
JK
Wiggins
Podz
Melton
Hield
Moody
Waters
GP2
Slowmo

Non-spacers:
TDJ
Looney

floor spacer is someone who has to be covered at the 3 pt line, Dray is not a floor spacer half the time he gets left wide open

Onus wrote:

SpreeS wrote:[x]

Read on Twitter

[/x]

It was painful to watch

This is way I was against any trade including our future (young players/picks) for old George/Butler or Lauri. This team could have 50win season b/c of depth, but 1st rnd exit guaranteed. I predict that he will shoot max at .380 from 3P this season, b/c of tired legs and volume

What’s funny is that he still got by him and drew 2 multiple times while he supposedly got clamped.

And he was very clearly being hand-checked. When it goes left Keegan keeps his right hand on his chest .This is something that warriors should be blasting the league about.