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

[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.

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.

Sure, agreed. I didn't realize the disparity was that big, given that his RS sample extends even further than that, and he's at 44% or something.

[PaulieWal]

BTW, someone pointed out that Curry's numbers in the Finals last year and the WCF this year are not that far apart. Definitely not buying the injury excuses yet.

[bigboi]

BTW, someone pointed out that Curry's numbers in the Finals last year and the WCF this year are not that far apart. Definitely not buying the injury excuses yet.

Literally no one was calling injury during game 2 or before that.

[PaulieWal]

BTW, someone pointed out that Curry's numbers in the Finals last year and the WCF this year are not that far apart. Definitely not buying the injury excuses yet.

Literally no one was calling injury during game 2 or before that.

Yup, his offense is suffering because he has to expend so much energy guarding Russ. No one's talking about that and he's doing a poor job of it mind you.

Edit: Just look at this defense and unlike the Cavs last year it's not LeBron with a bunch of scrubs, OKC has KD and RUss on offense to get things done.

http://imgur.com/tPraACl

[cpower]

Steve Kerr still didn't figure out how to beat this Curry Trap. He surrounded Curry with horrible finishers, Green/Bogut/Ezeli and rely solely on Green's ability to make plays, either putting up awkward layups on bigger guys or kicking to our three pointer shooters Curry/Klay and maybe Iggy. This offensive stagnant is the result of not being able to make adjustment. Kerr needs to play Bogut more, let him/green setting hard screens and crash the boards for fastbreaks.


Curry is playing very poorly right now because he was not able to beat longer OKC defenders one on one. When his shots are not falling, he tried to throw those entry passes to bad finishers which results in TOs. We were riding the brilliance of Stephen Curry all RS season and when it didn't work we are running out of options right now.

[JLei]

Steve Kerr still didn't figure out how to beat this Curry Trap. He surrounded Curry with horrible finishers, Green/Bogut/Ezeli and rely solely on Green's ability to make plays, either putting up awkward layups on bigger guys or kicking to our three pointer shooters Curry/Klay and maybe Iggy. This offensive stagnant is the result of not being able to make adjustment. Kerr needs to play Bogut more, let him/green setting hard screens and crash the boards for fastbreaks.


Curry is playing very poorly right now because he was not able to beat longer OKC defenders one on one. When his shots are not falling, he tried to throw those entry passes to bad finishers which results in TOs. We were riding the brilliance of Stephen Curry all RS season and when it didn't work we are running out of options right now.

It's always been the way to guard him. Glad a team finally started implementing it. His 2 biggest weaknesses are finishing in traffic over dudes and turnover prone. He's fantastic at finishing once he gets a step/ can avoid the big guy but not over them. Anyone who cites that 70% at the rim figure has to understand how he was getting his layups (complete blow bys due to fear of his jumper/ no help because floor is spaced). Force him to drive into help and make him make plays.

Switching everything and playing way up on him forcing him to go to the rim also makes him expend more energy and makes him more often take contact. OKC has the right personel of course. Very few teams have elite rim protection from both big positions and long athletic dudes at all 3 wing positions that force Curry to drive but this has always been the way IMO. Worked last year in the first 3 games of the Finals (similar structure, Delly, Shump and Lebron are long and athletic with 2 bigs) with Draymond in deer in headlights mode. He needs Draymond to do something to open up the court for him.

[cpower]

Steve Kerr still didn't figure out how to beat this Curry Trap. He surrounded Curry with horrible finishers, Green/Bogut/Ezeli and rely solely on Green's ability to make plays, either putting up awkward layups on bigger guys or kicking to our three pointer shooters Curry/Klay and maybe Iggy. This offensive stagnant is the result of not being able to make adjustment. Kerr needs to play Bogut more, let him/green setting hard screens and crash the boards for fastbreaks.


Curry is playing very poorly right now because he was not able to beat longer OKC defenders one on one. When his shots are not falling, he tried to throw those entry passes to bad finishers which results in TOs. We were riding the brilliance of Stephen Curry all RS season and when it didn't work we are running out of options right now.

It's always been the way to guard him. Glad a team finally started implementing it. His 2 biggest weaknesses are finishing in traffic over dudes and turnover prone. He's fantastic at finishing once he gets a step/ can avoid the big guy but not over them. Anyone who cites that 70% at the rim figure has to understand how he was getting his layups (complete blow bys due to fear of his jumper/ no help because floor is spaced). Force him to drive into help and make him make plays.

Switching everything and playing way up on him forcing him to go to the rim also makes him expend more energy and makes him more often take contact. OKC has the right personel of course. Very few teams have elite rim protection from both big positions and long athletic dudes at all 3 wing positions that force Curry to drive but this has always been the way IMO. Worked last year in the first 3 games of the Finals (similar structure, Delly, Shump and Lebron are long and athletic with 2 bigs) with Draymond in deer in headlights mode. He needs Draymond to do something to open up the court for him.

Kerr makes warriors offense worse than 76ers offense. Maybe we should just play Bogut/Elize/Green and let Curry chuck every shot for god's sake lol

[te887848]

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

Sure it is. All the individual stats and team success support that he is.

And honestly, with news that Curry is generously only 70% healthy, it's no surprise the Thunder (a 65+ win caliber team at full strength) are demolishing the Warriors.

The Warriors are nothing without Curry. If a team's best player isn't healthy while his competition is, it isn't really a fair fight at all.

Such a shame because the Warriors could've gone down as the GOAT team with the GOAT peak player, but we won't know what could've been due to injury.

[AceofSpades69]

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

Sure it is. All the individual stats and team success support that he is.

And honestly, with news that Curry is generously only 70% healthy, it's no surprise the Thunder (a 65+ win caliber team at full strength) are demolishing the Warriors.

The Warriors are nothing without Curry. If a team's best player isn't healthy while his competition is, it isn't really a fair fight at all.

Such a shame because the Warriors could've gone down as the GOAT team with the GOAT peak player, but we won't know what could've been due to injury.

He isn't injured, stop making excuses (and even IF he was, many other ATG played through worse injuries carrying their teams for entire series and he isn't showing that capacity). And he'd never have the GOAT peak, he is too mediocre of a defensive player to ever attain that level. It was one thing if he managed to get a huge clear gap as the GOAT offensive peak (and by that I mean something like 35/11 on similar efficiency with transposition to the playoffs carrying the Warriors to the title) but he clearly hasn't.

[RSCD3_]

Important Gif of Curry struggling to get open

OKC was being physical and curry had a hard time handling it.

http://m.imgur.com/tPraACl

[thizznation]

Curry is obviously injured. He's getting his shot blocked by Steve Adams. This isn't happening because Steve Adams is some sort of defensive savant, this is happening because Curry cannot create the separation he normally can off the dribble.

My theory is that Curry went too hard during the record setting OT performance against the Blazers. Adrenaline was surging and he was going all out feeling good, then when the adrenaline fades and he wakes up the next day it's even worse than it was originally. I've had this happen to myself before. He came back too soon and went too hard in Portland.

[ppedro123]

Curry is obviously injured. He's getting his shot blocked by Steve Adams. This isn't happening because Steve Adams is some sort of defensive savant, this is happening because Curry cannot create the separation he normally can off the dribble.

My theory is that Curry went too hard during the record setting OT performance against the Blazers. Adrenaline was surging and he was going all out feeling good, then when the adrenaline fades and he wakes up the next day it's even worse than it was originally. I've had this happen to myself before. He came back too soon and went too hard in Portland.

You have got to be kidding me.


Curry was making crazy shots again late in the 4th against the Blazers in game 5. He was also amazing against the Thunder in game 2 3rd quarter.


"My theory is that Curry went too hard during OT against the Blazers". "He wakes up the next day worse than it was originally". Stop it. This is nonsense.

[juice4080]

Curry is obviously injured. He's getting his shot blocked by Steve Adams. This isn't happening because Steve Adams is some sort of defensive savant, this is happening because Curry cannot create the separation he normally can off the dribble.

My theory is that Curry went too hard during the record setting OT performance against the Blazers. Adrenaline was surging and he was going all out feeling good, then when the adrenaline fades and he wakes up the next day it's even worse than it was originally. I've had this happen to myself before. He came back too soon and went too hard in Portland.

this is as good a spin doctering job i've seen on this site....you my friend have created a masterpiece for all ages

[Doctor MJ]

Important Gif of Curry struggling to get open

OKC was being physical and curry had a hard time handling it.

http://m.imgur.com/tPraACl

To me more noteworthy isn't the physicality so much as it is that OKC clearly has told its players, "If you see Curry running anywhere near you, even if he doesn't have the ball, leave your man and get on him until someone else picks him up." They are doing this, which means that other Warriors should have opportunities, and Curry is still scoring well over 20 PPG with better efficiency than either Durant or Westbrook. Which means that basically OKC is succeeding because the rest of the Warriors aren't figuring out how to burn OKC.

[magicman1978]

One thing that really helped Curry make the jump he did this year to having what I believe was the greatest offensive season ever was Draymond's increased playmaking role. He was able to open things up a bit more for Curry so the defense couldn't key in on him as much. Draymond's play has fallen off a cliff - he's become a negative these last two games. The Thunder have been able to focus on Curry. The refs are also allowing the Thunder to get away with some very physical play that's usually not allowed in the regular season, but is more common in the playoffs.

Teams can game plan and make adjustments more in the playoffs to focus on stopping certain players - something they don't generally do as well in the regular season. We saw the games that Curry struggled in during the regular season - we knew what his opponents were doing - playing physical and switching constantly through screens so someone is always directly on him. It's exactly what the Thunder and doing right now and they are doing it very well. The other Warriors need to be able to take advantage of this focus on Steph.

[Basileus777]

Important Gif of Curry struggling to get open

OKC was being physical and curry had a hard time handling it.

http://m.imgur.com/tPraACl

To me more noteworthy isn't the physicality so much as it is that OKC clearly has told its players, "If you see Curry running anywhere near you, even if he doesn't have the ball, leave your man and get on him until someone else picks him up." They are doing this, which means that other Warriors should have opportunities, and Curry is still scoring well over 20 PPG with better efficiency than either Durant or Westbrook. Which means that basically OKC is succeeding because the rest of the Warriors aren't figuring out how to burn OKC.

It's a similar story to the first few games of the 2015 finals.

[bigboi]

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

Sure it is. All the individual stats and team success support that he is.

And honestly, with news that Curry is generously only 70% healthy, it's no surprise the Thunder (a 65+ win caliber team at full strength) are demolishing the Warriors.

The Warriors are nothing without Curry. If a team's best player isn't healthy while his competition is, it isn't really a fair fight at all.

Such a shame because the Warriors could've gone down as the GOAT team with the GOAT peak player, but we won't know what could've been due to injury.

You believe a random report rather than Steve Kerr and Steph Curry himself. You're making excuses and you know it. Even if you consider him hurt, the fact that he can't adjust his game when he isn't making 3s shows that he isn't the GOAT peak. He completely useless on the floor without the 3. The lanes aren't as open due to the 3 not falling for the whole team, that's why he isn't finishing or passing well. Curry isn't a good player with an average 3 period

[Bruh Man]

Important Gif of Curry struggling to get open

OKC was being physical and curry had a hard time handling it.

http://m.imgur.com/tPraACl

To me more noteworthy isn't the physicality so much as it is that OKC clearly has told its players, "If you see Curry running anywhere near you, even if he doesn't have the ball, leave your man and get on him until someone else picks him up." They are doing this, which means that other Warriors should have opportunities, and Curry is still scoring well over 20 PPG with better efficiency than either Durant or Westbrook. Which means that basically OKC is succeeding because the rest of the Warriors aren't figuring out how to burn OKC.

It's a similar story to the first few games of the 2015 finals.

It's a big reason why AI won finals mvp, if curry isn't scoring his impact on the game is marginalized big time. He is also a poor defender which OKC is taking advantage of as well, they are making Curry work on both ends of the court.

Gotta give credit to OKC though, Westbrook is playing like the best player in the league and OKC's length is really disrupting the Warriors offense.

[cpower]

To me more noteworthy isn't the physicality so much as it is that OKC clearly has told its players, "If you see Curry running anywhere near you, even if he doesn't have the ball, leave your man and get on him until someone else picks him up." They are doing this, which means that other Warriors should have opportunities, and Curry is still scoring well over 20 PPG with better efficiency than either Durant or Westbrook. Which means that basically OKC is succeeding because the rest of the Warriors aren't figuring out how to burn OKC.

It's a similar story to the first few games of the 2015 finals.

It's a big reason why AI won finals mvp, if curry isn't scoring his impact on the game is marginalized big time. He is also a poor defender which OKC is taking advantage of as well, they are making Curry work on both ends of the court.

Gotta give credit to OKC though, Westbrook is playing like the best player in the league and OKC's length is really disrupting the Warriors offense.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM2W5GNL118[/youtube]
coach Nick disagrees with you.

Curry held his own against Westbrook. There was nobody to box players out and get a loose ball. They kill us on those.

[nikomCH]

I feel like going after Curry for not being able to stop Westbrook or trying to label him as a bad defender because of that is really stupid. Nobody can guard that guy consistently