Is Stephen Curry Even Better This Season?

The Golden State Warriors improved their record to 3-0 with a 134-120 drubbing of the New Orleans Pelicans, led by arguably the best player in the world, Stephen Curry.

Curry dropped 53 points, hitting eight threes, dishing out 9 assists while making a perfect 11 of 11 from the foul line. The highlight of the game was the third quarter where he was unstoppable, scoring 28 points, outscoring the Pelicans by himself. Curry is averaging almost 40 points per game early in the season, which begs the question: Could Curry possibly be better this season than his MVP year last season?

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Early indications say he is absolutely better this year than last season. He has improved in all categories that he was already among the elite. His shooting has been breathtaking, hitting 17 threes in three games with unlimited range. It seems whenever he crosses midcourt, he is ready to fire. His floater has never looked better and midrange has been automatic.

He is getting to the basket more regularly and as a result, getting to the foul line, where he is elite as well. His release is as quick as ever, hitting jumpers when defenders are draped all over him. He may be the most unguardable player in the NBA, like how Jamie Foxx calls him in a recent Under Armour commercial. As good as he has been shooting the rock, his dribbling may be his best asset.

Curry can handle the rock better than anyone in the league and may be the flashiest as well. Curry is always going behind the back or between his legs to get in the perfect position to make a play for himself or his teammates. Lots of players are able to go through their legs and behind their backs but it is the pace that separates Curry from the rest of the league.

His pace allows him to get anywhere on the floor, able to weave in between defenders without slowing down and putting the Warriors in the best position to succeed. His control was never more evident than a play in the third quarter where he was on a dead sprint with the ball and was able to go around his back, eluding Luke Babbitt while laying it in on the fast break.

Curry’s shooting and dribbling is so good that it is easy forget that his leadership and distribution has improved too. While he isn’t averaging 10 assists per game, his decision making has been so much better than last season. He is also averaging less than two turnovers per game and has an assist to turnover ratio of better than 4 to 1, which is better than most elite point guards in the game.

Curry has never had an assist to turnover ratio of even 3 to 1 so this is an incredible accomplishment. You no longer see the Curry lazy one-handed pass get intercepted. Instead you see him in complete control of every situation. Whether he is getting double-teamed or he is locked up man-to-man, he makes the right play almost every time.

On top of being the most unguardable player in the game, his defense has improved as well. He can keep point guards in front of him. His knowledge of playing passing lanes or coming to double a post player is improving. He averages almost six rebounds and grabs over two steals per game. He no longer “chills on defense”.

He has become the most complete point guard in this game and would not be surprising if he defends his MVP title. It seemed laughable to think that Curry could ever contend for best player in the game a couple years ago or even last season, but this season he is making a strong case. LeBron James is considered by many to be that player but with the unlimited range, ultimate confidence and ability to get wherever he wants on the floor, Curry is the most dominant and feared player in this league.

James can not dictate a game like Curry because of his inferior shooting. The game is evolving into which teams have the best ball movement and hit the most threes instead on isolation and post play. Curry is on the best team because of their incredible ball movement and their ability to hit the three ball with him being the ring leader. This is why he is the most feared and dominant player in this game.

With incredible teammates helping him along the way, there is no reason why this Warriors team will not be better this season with the ability to defend their crown.