3 reasons Stephen Curry is still better than Damian Lillard

Golden State Warriors: 3 reasons Stephen Curry is still better than Damian Lillard

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: (L-R) Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers, Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Seth Curry #31 of the Portland Trail Blazers react during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2019 Western Conference Finals

The first thing that should be noted is that Damian Lillard was being guarded by some of the league’s best perimeter defenders. That’s why, when looking at the 2019 Western Conference Finals, one cannot just assume the gap is that far between the two.

It’s a slim gap and one that is helped by the series. In the series, the Warriors swept Portland in four straight games without Kevin Durant, a player they relied upon to take down the Clippers in their opening series.

As for Curry, he averaged 36.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.

Lillard averaged 22.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists with CJ McCollum and Meyers Leonard helping keep games even reasonably close. Curry had a 66.3% true shooting percentage; Lillard’s was 54.6%.

It was Curry’s 37, 13, and 11 that sent the Blazers packing after an impressive postseason run. Curry proved his dominance, and while that seems forever ago, it really was just about 15 months.

Home/Warriors News