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Stephen Curry’s dominance may be even more impressive than 2015

By Nathan Beighle

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 01: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is dejected after missing a three point shot towards the end of the game against the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena on April 1, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 01: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is dejected after missing a three point shot towards the end of the game against the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena on April 1, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors aren’t the typically dominant Golden State Warriors that fans have been so used to for the past half a decade. It was hopeful that they’d take a season off then be right back at it this season.

That just hasn’t been the case as the unforeseen injury to Klay Thompson wreaked havoc on the season before it even began. It was sad to see, but it opened up an even bigger opportunity for two-time MVP Stephen Curry to display his dominance.

Stephen Curry is on a dynamic tear this season, and it’s been a single-handed effort to keep the Golden State Warriors in playoff contention.

He’s done just that.

Curry has been absolutely on fire lately. His season averages are back up to 29.9 points, 6.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. Those compare favorably to his unanimous MVP season in which he put up 30.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

What makes this season even more impressive is that he’s been able to do it without Klay Thompson. Thompson’s ability to create space and help offensively is a two-edged sword for Curry’s production. However, it’s assumed that Curry would be better with Thompson playing.

That said, he’s playing with a ghost of Draymond Green as well. This season, Green’s assists are one higher, 8.4 per game compared to 7.4 about half a decade ago. However, his scoring has been more than cut in half which can be problematic to getting Curry open.

Thompson’s out and Green isn’t able to score. That puts pressure on Curry, who has seen his usage rate marginally tick up since that season as well. Curry’s basically the Warriors’ entire offense.

Curry, since returning from a tailbone injury, is averaging 36 points per game, making 5.3 triples per game. That type of play has opened up opportunities for players like Jordan Poole and Damion Lee as well.

While the 2015-2016 season was a one-man show in many ways as well, Curry had gotten used to being fed from Green, Iguodala, and Kevin Durant over the past three seasons he’s played the majority of.

Curry’s assisted field goals from two-point range have been under 40 percent for the first time since that MVP campaign. He’s been doing more on his own as the Warriors just aren’t the same caliber team they’ve been in the past.

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I’m not saying that Curry’s been as good as he was in 2015-2016, but given what he’s playing with and the success that he’s had, the conversation is there to be had.

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