The Stephen Curry Thread (2015-16 Pt. 2)

[Jaivl]

OKC's length is just destroying the Warriors, it's completely nullified the death lineup. Curry's been having a lot of trouble with it.

People thought they matched up with the 1996 Bulls but the Bulls had even greater length.

Nobody has more length than this OKC team.

[Quotatious]

Warriors remind me a bit of the '73 Celtics - phenomenal regular season (Celtics won 68 games that year, one less than the all-time record 69 by the Lakers the year before), then one of their top 2 players got injured in the postseason and they ran into a really tough opponent (I mean, Hondo was hurt during the Knicks series in '73).

[E-Balla]

Warriors remind me a bit of the '73 Celtics - phenomenal regular season (Celtics won 68 games that year, one less than the all-time record 69 by the Lakers the year before), then one of their top 2 players got injured in the postseason and they ran into a really tough opponent (I mean, Hondo was hurt during the Knicks series in '73).

I think theres no injury involved here. Its just hard to make an impact guarded like this.



The team should be taking full advantage of how tightly he is covered but they can't because of OKC's shot blocking ability and length.

[picc]

I'll post more on this in the event the Warriors actually get eliminated. But this series is a prime example of why its been so historically difficult for point guards to lead their teams to titles, and why larger, more athletic and physically imposing positions have traditionally been championship anchors.

[NO-KG-AI]

Curry had more than a few games last post season where he got put in check and struggled far more than a "GOAT" offensive player should. These aren't one game anomalies anymore, when his shooting is off, his impact is gone. He's not physically dominant enough to find another way to exert a high level of impact on the game without his jumper.

Clear these Warriors and Steph over the last two years are as good as anyone when things are going well and "clean" for them. When it gets physical and the D really ramps up and they get out of rhythm, they really struggle.

I don't know why so many are so quick to pile on ANYONE else that has even 1 bad game in the post season, but doesn't want to acknowledge that Steph hasn't been close to his regular season self over the last two seasons when the **** hits the fan in the playoffs.


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[Dr Spaceman]

Re-watching the 3rd quarter this morning and something became really clear to me: Iguodala needs to start. He needs to play basically every minute.

I get it, if you win 70 games you should be confident in what got you there. But you're down 3-1; the time for action is now. Draymond is clearly not in a headspace where he can contribute to this team as a ball handler and Curry would benefit so much from the game being simplified for him. If I'm Kerr I tell Iggy right now he's getting the start and he's going to be the full-time ball handler. GSW right now more than anything needs someone who's going to manage the game and make smart decisions and not commit all these stupid turnovers. Klay is practically begging for someone to give it to him in his spots; he's a 35 point game waiting to happen at this point. Barnes is giving you literally nothing in this series, and standing behind the "chemistry" thing at this point is just stubbornness. Put Barnes on the bench where he belongs, and replace him with the best decision-maker on your team and the best option you have for guarding Durant (who he can at least make think twice). This is why you have a player like Iguodala, and he's going to make goddamn sure your team doesn't immediately self-destruct the moment OKC looks like they're going on a run.

[te887848]

One of the all-time disappointing seasons. Well, looks like GOAT peak is out of the question for Curry barring a miracle comeback. Obviously the Warriors aren't the GOAT team either.

I'd settle for top 5-7 peak perhaps, and comfortably taking Jordan and LeBron's best over Curry after seeing his horrific play this playoffs.

Wait, you're talking GOAT peak in general? Not even just offense? Yea, that's nonsense. Curry's defense isn't good enough to be a GOAT peak

Well, it was absolutely in consideration for GOAT peak until this series as his offense was so far and away better than anyone else's and an argument could've been made that his offense alone was more dominant and impactful than elite 2-way play of the other two GOAT peaks, LeBron and Jordan. Hence the greatest record in NBA history.

However, the way he's getting abused by Westbrook and his poor offense/shooting this series pretty much ends any discussion of GOAT peak.

Unfortunately you gotta prove it in the playoffs as well. Curry's regular season puts him up there with any peak ever, but his playoffs this year will sink him. For now the GOAT peak likely remains with Jordan, with LeBron trailing closely behind.

[te887848]

One of the all-time disappointing seasons. Well, looks like GOAT peak is out of the question for Curry barring a miracle comeback. Obviously the Warriors aren't the GOAT team either.

I'd settle for top 5-7 peak perhaps, and comfortably taking Jordan and LeBron's best over Curry after seeing his horrific play this playoffs.

lol hes not top 10 anymore bro. He was pacing for it IMO. I cant see how youd take Steph over peak Bird/Magic at this point.

Maybe u shouldnt overreact to saying Steph is far above Hakeem like u did in the regular season and wait till the playoffs are done next time.

If they lose this series then yeah, it's going to be hard to rank anyone who didn't win it all in the top 10 peak.

My Curry >>>> Hakeem comments were absolutely true at the time I made them. Hakeem never could've held 2016 Curry's jockstrap in the regular season. We're talking 31+ PER, GOAT offense and GOAT shooting, record-shattering threes, all-time greatest record of 73 wins from Curry compared to a guy who never even once led his team to 60 wins ever.

I and most, however, did not anticipate this level of choking in the playoffs... which changes everything. I also have my doubts that Curry is actually healthy as well.

[Dr Spaceman]

I'm officially calling out Steph for his defense. Last night was pathetic, and when I saw this play in real time my jaw dropped. Needed documentation.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZW9LK3Axgg[/youtube]

[JeepCSC]

all-time greatest record of 73 wins from Curry compared to a guy who never even once led his team to 60 wins ever.

There was that slight difference in team personnel they dealt with.

[kayess]

Curry had more than a few games last post season where he got put in check and struggled far more than a "GOAT" offensive player should. These aren't one game anomalies anymore, when his shooting is off, his impact is gone. He's not physically dominant enough to find another way to exert a high level of impact on the game without his jumper.

Clear these Warriors and Steph over the last two years are as good as anyone when things are going well and "clean" for them. When it gets physical and the D really ramps up and they get out of rhythm, they really struggle.

I don't know why so many are so quick to pile on ANYONE else that has even 1 bad game in the post season, but doesn't want to acknowledge that Steph hasn't been close to his regular season self over the last two seasons when the **** hits the fan in the playoffs.


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When is his shooting ever off though? So far, off the top of my head, it's MOSTLY when he's been hurt (this year) or they're not calling extremely obvious fouls on him (and yes, this would diminish his game too because it means he wouldn't get as many free threes from moving screens lol), or great D (first 3 games of last year in the Finals). I'm not saying he's unimpeachable, and someone really should look into all the games in the playoffs where he's been off to see whether there's any one single factor that affects it more than most, but I don't see it as an all-damning flaw that means he isn't the GOAT anymore.

It's not one game anomalies sure, but I don't think it's enough data to say it's a trend though. Still something to watch out for.

[ppedro123]

Lets stop all this "Curry is hurt" thing.

When he went nuts in OT against Portlant or 3rd quarter game 2 against OKC, nobody brought that up.

He's fine, he's just playing bad right now. He'll bounce back.

[bigboi]

One of the all-time disappointing seasons. Well, looks like GOAT peak is out of the question for Curry barring a miracle comeback. Obviously the Warriors aren't the GOAT team either.

I'd settle for top 5-7 peak perhaps, and comfortably taking Jordan and LeBron's best over Curry after seeing his horrific play this playoffs.

Wait, you're talking GOAT peak in general? Not even just offense? Yea, that's nonsense. Curry's defense isn't good enough to be a GOAT peak

Well, it was absolutely in consideration for GOAT peak until this series as his offense was so far and away better than anyone else's and an argument could've been made that his offense alone was more dominant and impactful than elite 2-way play of the other two GOAT peaks, LeBron and Jordan. Hence the greatest record in NBA history.

However, the way he's getting abused by Westbrook and his poor offense/shooting this series pretty much ends any discussion of GOAT peak.

Unfortunately you gotta prove it in the playoffs as well. Curry's regular season puts him up there with any peak ever, but his playoffs this year will sink him. For now the GOAT peak likely remains with Jordan, with LeBron trailing closely behind.

Curry's peak is in no way better than Shaq at all. Regular season or not

[bondom34]

Their season isn't over yet.

[JulesWinnfield]

Steph is "only" a career .405 3-point shooter in his playoff career (48 games, 479 attempts). For him that is a significant decline that's absolutely worth mentioning, while at the same time still just a fraction away from the all time best among shooters with 400 playoff attempts.....

1. Nash .406 (438 attempts)
2. Curry .405 (479 attempts)
3. R. Allen .401 (959 attempts)

Nobody else in history is shooting 40% on 400+ attempts. That's a little surprising to me. Given this it's tough to come down on Steph much. But holding the GOAT shooter to his own standards this is really a significant decline

[NO-KG-AI]

Curry had more than a few games last post season where he got put in check and struggled far more than a "GOAT" offensive player should. These aren't one game anomalies anymore, when his shooting is off, his impact is gone. He's not physically dominant enough to find another way to exert a high level of impact on the game without his jumper.

Clear these Warriors and Steph over the last two years are as good as anyone when things are going well and "clean" for them. When it gets physical and the D really ramps up and they get out of rhythm, they really struggle.

I don't know why so many are so quick to pile on ANYONE else that has even 1 bad game in the post season, but doesn't want to acknowledge that Steph hasn't been close to his regular season self over the last two seasons when the **** hits the fan in the playoffs.


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When is his shooting ever off though? So far, off the top of my head, it's MOSTLY when he's been hurt (this year) or they're not calling extremely obvious fouls on him (and yes, this would diminish his game too because it means he wouldn't get as many free threes from moving screens lol), or great D (first 3 games of last year in the Finals). I'm not saying he's unimpeachable, and someone really should look into all the games in the playoffs where he's been off to see whether there's any one single factor that affects it more than most, but I don't see it as an all-damning flaw that means he isn't the GOAT anymore.

It's not one game anomalies sure, but I don't think it's enough data to say it's a trend though. Still something to watch out for.

It's not off much, but his entire game and being a special player is predicated on him being the GOAT 3 point shooter by a long shot, and as Jules showed, he comes down to mere mortal, but still all time great level at it in the post season, and I think that's a significant reason why he "struggles" more.

[bigboi]

Steph is "only" a career .405 3-point shooter in his playoff career (48 games, 479 attempts). For him that is a significant decline that's absolutely worth mentioning, while at the same time still just a fraction away from the all time best among shooters with 400 playoff attempts.....

1. Nash .406 (438 attempts)
2. Curry .405 (479 attempts)
3. R. Allen .401 (959 attempts)

Nobody else in history is shooting 40% on 400+ attempts. That's a little surprising to me. Given this it's tough to come down on Steph much. But holding the GOAT shooter to his own standards this is really a significant decline

Numbers look better than they are, he's only shot over 40% once his entire playoff career

[LA Bird]

Playoff Losses
2015: 37% FG / 31% 3pt / 82% FT
2016: 37% FG / 31% 3pt / 82% FT

[PaulieWal]

Some thoughts on Curry and this series so far:

- I am not buying the "he's injured" talk just yet. OKC is doing a phenomenal guarding Curry for one. The entire offensive success of GSW is predicated on Curry and Klay opening up the floor for the entire team. OKC is shutting down Curry without doubling him from the half court line. They are swarming him whenever he's in the paint but they are not giving Draymond Green those patented 4 on 3s which have been his bread and butter. Also, if he were injured I am pretty sure Kerr would not have him guarding Russ. Maybe, just maybe his offense is suffering because he has to guard Russ.

- Even if Curry is hurt the rest of the team has completely crapped the bed. Green has disappeared and OKC's size is a problem for him. Ibaka, KD, and Adams have done a good job of challenging Green at the rim and his open shots have not gone in. This is also exposing Green as a playmaker IMO because he's just not the same unless he has a Curry to take attention away from him.

- I am not sure what to make of Kerr and the entire 2 year run of GSW so far. This is the first healthy team they are facing in the PS and Kerr is getting out-coached by Donovan. Can we please stop with those frigging Varejao minutes already?

- People should stop blaming the Warriors going for 73 wins. Win or lose this series they are the greatest RS team ever.

- THe series is far from over. I expect Warriors to win game 5. All they need is 1 win on the road and they are back for a game 7 at home.

[mischievous]

Westbrook has flat out outplayed Curry this series. If that continues and Okc wins, i may have to go Westbrook>Curry on the season. Curry played at a level in the regular season that Westbrook never has or will approach but he's outplaying him when it matters most.