Throughout the offseason, Blue Man Hoop will be reviewing the Golden State Warriors’ 2014-2015 season with breakdowns of the performances of each individual player.
The Numbers
In an MVP season, Stephen Curry put up well-rounded numbers and shot lights out from three-point range. He averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 44.3 percent from beyond the arc. Curry broke his own record for threes in a regular season — 286, or 3.6 per game. He topped it off by setting the postseason three-point record as well — a whopping 98 triples.
His scoring input increased in the playoffs, jumping to 28.3 points. He scored 40 points twice in the postseason, and more than 30 points nine times.
The Positives
Curry could have easily led the league in scoring, but instead he finished sixth because he didn’t have to put up Russell Westbrook-type numbers for his team to win.
Look at the names ahead of him: Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins. For much of the season, they were expected to carry the load offensively for their respective teams. Curry could’ve done the same. You think he wouldn’t have been capable of jacking up a few more threes and scoring 30 on a regular basis?
Absolutely, but despite the MVP recognition, Curry saw the necessity to defer to Steve Kerr‘s system, to emphasize ball movement and flow and spacing rather than isolation. And so, he was a willing passer. Rarely would he hold the ball for half the shot clock before launching a contested jumper; a majority of his threes came as a result of a long possession of moving the ball around and tiring the defense out.
Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, there were times when he had to bail his team out with incredible shots — dribbling through four Clippers and launching a fadeaway three while facing the wrong way, salvaging Game 5 of the Finals with some incredible shots over Matthew Dellavedova, flinging a wild corner three while falling out of bounds to tie up Game 3 against the Pelicans, and countless other moments when you thought there was just no way until the ball swished through the net.
Curry’s shooting and playmaking ability is unparalleled, and it carried the Warriors all the way to a championship. But to say his prowess alone delivered a championship to Oakland would not be accurate; rather, it was his willingness to conform to the team in conjunction with his superstardom that pushed the Warriors to the next level.
The Negatives
Before this season, you could rag on Curry for being a poor defender, for avoiding the tough assignments, for not being physical enough. You could call him out for not being physical enough, for his scrawny, skinny build.
He can’t change his stature, but he can sure change his mindset. Instead of hiding Curry from the rough assignment on defense like Mark Jackson, Kerr took the opposite approach. He trusted Curry enough to challenge him, a challenge that Curry accepted.
Nov 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) attempts to steal the ball from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Curry will never be an elite defender, but this season, he showed that he can at least be decent and hold his own. ESPN’s Ethan Strauss has a detailed column on how Curry improved his defensive technique, and it all goes back to being tough and physical enough to handle the pressure, along with utilizing his quick hands for steals.
Turnovers are perhaps Curry’s lone concern — his 249 turnovers led the team and ranked eighth in the league. This, however, is a byproduct of how he plays and the Warriors’ style — loose, free-flowing, and risky. But it would behoove him to take care of the basketball and value each possession.
Best Moment
There were many to choose from, but this play best illustrates the beauty of Stephen Curry:
It looked like the Warriors were trying to run the “weave” play at the top of the arc, but Curry took matters into his own hands.
And look at the shot clock. There are literally 11-12 seconds left when he decides to dribble through four defenders and launch a difficult three while facing the wrong way.
This isn’t a typical possession; Curry probably should have re-set and gotten a better look. But it just shows the type of player he is: spontaneous, fast-paced, whimsical, yet so pure and beautiful.