The Stephen Curry Thread (2015-16 Pt. 1)

[Swagalicious]

I think Curry can surpass LBJ's legacy.

I think he can surpass everyone's legacy.

He's 28 next week

a) He'd have to pull out 3-4 more seasons at this level to match Jordan/LeBron in terms of peak play
b) He wasn't in the same stratosphere as those two until '15
c) He was in another stratosphere below that before '13

Highly unlikely unless you think he'll go on to play like this until 2020

[D.Brasco]

^^^

Steph needs Steve Nash type longevity as in playing top notch well into his 30's to cement a true GOAT level career.

Steph had his "breakout" season really only last year. LeBron from arguably his 2nd season in was considered one of the top players. Jordan was also recognized quite early in his career.

In all honesty I think the baby-face does confuse some people in that a lot of casual fans probably aren't aware of Steph's true age and that he's already in his 7th season.

[Doctor MJ]

I think Curry can surpass LBJ's legacy.

I think he can surpass everyone's legacy.

He's 28 next week

a) He'd have to pull out 3-4 more seasons at this level to match Jordan/LeBron in terms of peak play
b) He wasn't in the same stratosphere as those two until '15
c) He was in another stratosphere below that before '13

Highly unlikely unless you think he'll go on to play like this until 2020

In terms of peak play, to me "peak" is basically a validated season. Meaning, at the end of a season there are still some question marks, but a player doesn't need to outright match that season in order for his mark to be validated. Frankly when you think about it, I"m not sure how it could be otherwise.

Peak is not overall career of course and Curry has something of a late start, but it's also not like it's hard to make arguments that Curry right now is WAY beyond Jordan & LeBron, and he plays a style that may well let him age very gracefully.

I've also thought about the GOAT with respect to Jordan & Russell. To me it's a real issue surpassing Russell for Jordan given the way his team stopped after 3 titles both times. It wouldn't be an issue of course if they finished super-strong both times, but in reality both times the Bulls seemed spent, and when you compare that to the 8 straight titles of the Celtics, it's hard to see them on the same tier.

Curry's not going to win 11 titles and he's not going to win 8 titles in a row, both because of age and because it's just tougher now to stay healthy and progress through the entire playoffs each year. But if addition to GOAT peak the evidence seems to suggest that Curry's Warriors can maintain what they are doing well above Jordan, to me that will be a very big deal. And I think it's possible both because of how good they are and frankly, the vibe of the team. The way they seem like a club where when someone catches fire, they all do.

Of course even with all that it's very possible I'll give Curry the nod with peak & prime but still say longevity is an issue, but in terms of what Curry "can" do, I don't see any reason to put a ceiling on him.

[lambchop]

If durant joins the team, they could probably win 3 or 4 titles in a row combined with the 2015 and 2016 title, which would give him 6 in a row. But I dont see them winning 8 in a row.

[Mazter]

The strange thing is most of G.S losses have been to bad to mediocore teams but blow outs as well.

It seems really clear that there are games the Warriors don't get up for, and then when they are down they decide it's not worth doubling down on.

I'd be interested in seeing some analysis of how the Warriors have done against playoff teams compared to other all-time great level teams. I think that's what really will peg what the team is.

The '96 Bulls lost 7 games to play offs teams. The Warriors at this moment lost only 2.

[colts18]

96 Bulls (includes playoffs):
vs. 50+ win teams: 20-5 15.86 SRS
vs. playoff teams: 51-9 14.51 SRS

They had an SRS of just 8.8 vs. non-playoff teams. They are similar to the Warriors in that regard.

[Clyde Frazier]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/707077771055345665[/tweet]

[cpower]

Curry should seriously shoot more and pass less, they are averaging like 20 TOS a game, imagine half of the possessions turn into Curry threes.

[Clyde Frazier]

Curry should seriously shoot more and pass less, they are averaging like 20 TOS a game, imagine half of the possessions turn into Curry threes.

They were sloppy across the board, and some of those TOs were just weird looking. You had telegraphed passes here and there, but half the time they just couldn't hold onto the ball. Then you had guys not even ready for passes. Just strange.

[Onus]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/707077771055345665[/tweet]

I can't believe Fitz said, "Poor Ilyasova" before that shot even went in. That was incredibly difficult and deep.

[prech]

Curry should seriously shoot more and pass less, they are averaging like 20 TOS a game, imagine half of the possessions turn into Curry threes.

What was that Shaq euphemism, "If the dog doesn't get fed, he won't guard the yard"? Lots of players need to feel involved on the offensive end of the court to apply effort on defense, so it's understandable Steph is being unselfish, even if it's selfishly so. Else it may start resembling OKC's offense

[RSCD3_]

Warriors are fooling around too much still with letting opponwnts score easy points and all that.

I thought they'd come out a lot more hungry but they slacked off after the first quarter and almost blew a 17 point lead tothe magic, this has been a decent amount of time where theyve been perfroming like only a true contender, right now i'd favor the spurs but the warriors are either a coasting or b getting full of themselves and i really hope its the former

[lorak]

Recent games show how important is Iguodala.

[The-Power]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/707077771055345665[/tweet]

Wait, did we see Ilyasova hand-checking Curry there?? I thought in today's game physicality is being entirely banned and the league is catering to its protected perimeter players all the time?

[TaylorMonkey]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/707077771055345665[/tweet]

I can't believe Fitz said, "Poor Ilyasova" before that shot even went in. That was incredibly difficult and deep.

"Curry can't shoot threes in the 90's with handchecking."

Right.

[Hoopstar23]

If durant joins the team, they could probably win 3 or 4 titles in a row combined with the 2015 and 2016 title, which would give him 6 in a row. But I dont see them winning 8 in a row.

Where would that put Curry on the the all time great list if they accomplish that? I could really see Durant come here to join a dynasty

[AceofSpades69]

If durant joins the team, they could probably win 3 or 4 titles in a row combined with the 2015 and 2016 title, which would give him 6 in a row. But I dont see them winning 8 in a row.

Where would that put Curry on the the all time great list if they accomplish that? I could really see Durant come here to join a dynasty

It depends of Curry's performance. With Durant on the team his numbers would absolutely come down to earth (speaking of volume) but if his efficiency remained somewhat closer, let's say 25/7/5 on 65% TS, then forget about defense, he'd be the GOAT. 6 rings in a row though, I don't think it's going to happen.

[cpower]

If durant joins the team, they could probably win 3 or 4 titles in a row combined with the 2015 and 2016 title, which would give him 6 in a row. But I dont see them winning 8 in a row.

Where would that put Curry on the the all time great list if they accomplish that? I could really see Durant come here to join a dynasty

It depends of Curry's performance. With Durant on the team his numbers would absolutely come down to earth (speaking of volume) but if his efficiency remained somewhat closer, let's say 25/7/5 on 65% TS, then forget about defense, he'd be the GOAT. 6 rings in a row though, I don't think it's going to happen.

he is 31/7/5 on 68% right now. If adding durant actually lower his efficiency, thats not worth it.

[Arman_tanzarian]

96 Bulls (includes playoffs):
vs. 50+ win teams: 20-5 15.86 SRS
vs. playoff teams: 51-9 14.51 SRS

They had an SRS of just 8.8 vs. non-playoff teams. They are similar to the Warriors in that regard.

curious as to how you measure SRS against teams?

[Dr Spaceman]

96 Bulls (includes playoffs):
vs. 50+ win teams: 20-5 15.86 SRS
vs. playoff teams: 51-9 14.51 SRS

They had an SRS of just 8.8 vs. non-playoff teams. They are similar to the Warriors in that regard.

curious as to how you measure SRS against teams?

Total point differential (-3 for each home game, +3 for each away game) - cumulative opponent SRS. Divide this total by number of games played.