Perhaps since Michael Jordan himself, no player has single-handedly done as much to change the game of basketball as Steph Curry. While Jordan inspired the youth with his highlight reel style of play, Chuck Daly and other NBA head coaches concocted their own method of madness to counter the superstar, now known as the “Jordan Rules”.
Similarly, Curry’s tight iron grip on the rest of the league has led the widespread change we’re seeing in all levels of basketball. Even in the NBA, entire teams are dedicating their strategy to either replicate the Warriors’ success (Boston), or to completely counter it (Houston).
When you’re garnering that much attention, you’re either doing something incredibly well, or terribly wrong. Three rings and two MVP awards indicate the former in Curry’s case. He joins Westbrook, Derrick Rose and Steve Nash as the only point guards to win an MVP award in the last 50 years. Only Nash and Curry have won it more than once.
With Kevin Durant and Demarcus Cousins bolting in free agency, Andre Iguodala being dealt away, all while Klay Thompson is schedule to rehab his injury for the majority of the year, the pressure falls squarely on Curry’s shoulders to carry the team.
Shooting is a skill that always ages well and his 43.7 percent from deep on 11.7 attempts per game last season indicates no signs of slowing down. The even scarier possibility remains that Curry recaptures his 2015-16 form in which he led the entire league in points scored and steals.
Curry’s play might have changed the game, but this next season will define if he goes down the history books as an all-time NBA great.