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Stephen Curry is fine for now, but he’ll need help in the playoffs

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the New York Knicks during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the New York Knicks during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are being single-handedly led by Stephen Curry, and when it comes to the postseason, they’ll need him to have more help.

Back when Stephen Curry was the league’s only unanimous MVP, the Golden State Warriors made the NBA Finals. The difference between then and now is the team’s veteran presence and a consistent, elite second option.

That team had Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa to captain their second unit. With their starters, the team had a fully healthy Klay Thompson and a Big 3 that were young and full of energy.

Now older, Curry and Draymond Green still bring that energy, but without Thompson, the team’s dominance isn’t the same. The Warriors did make moves to fill that void, but Kelly Oubre Jr., who they traded for this offseason, just hasn’t been a consistent force for the offense.

Before they took on the Miami Heat, the Warriors were sitting with a 15-13 record. With Stephen Curry dropping over 30 points per game and shooting over 43 percent from deep, the Warriors need to be able to convert more of these stellar performances to wins.

They haven’t been able to as they’ve lost to several high-profile games but have also dropped games to teams like the Knicks and Spurs. In those two games, Curry still dropped 31 points, and the team lost.

While they’ll be in playoff contention till the end of the season, Curry needs to have more help from his teammates, and that help may be able to come internally. The Warriors have scoring on the roster, and they also have proven scorers that just haven’t stepped up on a routine basis.

Andrew Wiggins is averaging 17.6 points per game, and he’s notched over 20 points per game in three of his six complete seasons. Oubre Jr. and Draymond Green are both not close to their career-high averages.

If all three improve marginally, this team will be much better off when they have to start taking on high-level opponents with the season on the line.

The Warriors rank eighth in points per game, and last time Curry put up over 30 points per game, they led the league in scoring. While both numbers are around 114 points per game, the difference in the style of play and pace is telling.

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While it will start and end with Stephen Curry, the scoring that doesn’t come from him must pick up for this team to truly be title contenders.

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