Stephen Curry is the ultimate x-factor
I mentioned earlier that the Golden State Warriors might be the most hit-or-miss team in the NBA. Really, for most of the season, I’d break them into three tiers based on how Stephen Curry and his supporting cast are playing.
- Curry is going nuclear + supporting cast is stepping up = Warriors are nearly unbeatable
- Curry is going nuclear + no help from the supporting cast = Warriors have a chance versus anyone
- Curry is playing subpar + no help from the supporting cast = Warriors are a lottery team
For 99 percent of the season, these tiers have been accurate. When Stephen Curry is one of his unguardable rhythms, the team has a realistic shot at winning any single game — but it can be tough. However, if Curry is on fire and his supporting cast is helping out? It is a wrap for any opponent. In contrast, a lackluster Curry game typically meant the Dubs would fall apart swiftly.
That is, until the other night when Curry shot 1-for-11 from the 3-point line and the Warriors still beat the Phoenix Suns due to 38 points from Andrew Wiggins and a flurry of big-time plays from Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, Kent Bazemore and Juan Toscano-Anderson.
Something like this would have been unheard of a few months ago. But, this shows how much the Dubs have grown over time. They have proven they can remain competitive even when Curry isn’t going nuclear.
Draymond Green: "We ain't no 'We Believe 2.0' We got fuc*king Steph Curry on our team." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 12, 2021
Would I bet on the Warriors winning a first round series if Curry is playing subpar? Not at all. Yet, the Dubs’ supporting cast being able to hold their own makes Curry the greatest x-factor in NBA history.
Curry alone can win you one or two games if he is playing at his peak. Add in help from the rest of his team and the Warriors elevate to a status well beyond a typical eight-seed. A hot streak from Curry could mean the Dubs advancing to round two in shocking fashion.