3 ways Stephen Curry has transitioned into an absolutely unguardable force

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to shooting a three during the game against the Houston Rockets at the Chase Center on April 10, 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to shooting a three during the game against the Houston Rockets at the Chase Center on April 10, 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
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Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

How Stephen Curry is unguardable: His elite three-point shooting

This is the most obvious way, sure.

It’s not just that Stephen Curry is an elite shot-maker, but he’s becoming better with players closing in on him. It’s been incredible to see what Curry’s been able to do despite double teams consistently coming his way.

Curry’s averaging 5.0 threes per game, tied for the second-most of his career. It’s easily above his insane 3.7 threes per game career average. He’s also knocking down 42.2 percent of his triples, which ranks as his ninth-best season percentage-wise.

Curry’s 5.0 threes are distantly more than Damian Lillard whose 4.1 per-game average ranks second in the NBA. What separates Curry is how good he’s been while defenders are “tight.” He’s still shooting over 37 percent even with defenders within 2-4 feet of him, according to NBA.com.

On top of that, he’s making 2.7 triples per game from a pull-up position. It’s not near as easy to hit pull-up jumpers as it is to have your feet set and knock down a shot off a catch-and-shoot position.

That said, Curry’s shooting has been a major reason why he’s been able to be so good over these past few games, but that’s far from the only reason.