(Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry could be out for another couple games. Here’s a breakdown of what Curry brings to this Warriors team.
Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry suffered multiple injuries in 2017-18, limiting him to just 51 regular season games. This is why such a dreadful silence struck Oracle Arena as Curry was escorted to the locker room in last Thursday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
By all accounts, Golden State is favored to win the 2018-19 NBA championship. The biggest spoiler would involve injuries to superstars – most notably, Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant.
Fortunately, Steph’s recent injury doesn’t appear severe, and he should likely return within the week.
Here’s what Warriors coach Steve Kerr had to say about it, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic:
“It’s something that we’re going to evaluate over the next few days. He’s still sore, it’s a strained groin, basically.
The MRI was encouraging, it’s going to be kind of a day-to-day thing. Obviously, we’re not going to do anything crazy. He’s going to be out until he’s healthy and ready to go.”
Nonetheless, Golden State will likely be without Curry for the next game or two, due to the team’s conservative nature. Let’s take this opportunity to break down how Steph truly impacts this Warriors squad.
Golden State Warriors</a> superstar <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Stephen Curry</a> suffered multiple injuries in 2017-18, limiting him to just 51 regular season games. This is why such a dreadful silence struck Oracle Arena as Curry was escorted to the locker room in last Thursday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.</p>
<p>By all accounts, Golden State is favored to win the 2018-19 NBA championship. The biggest spoiler would involve injuries to superstars – most notably, Stephen Curry or <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Durant</a>.</p>
<p>Fortunately, Steph’s recent injury doesn’t appear severe, and he should likely return within the week.</p>
<p>Here’s what Warriors coach <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kerrst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Steve Kerr</a> had to say about it, per <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1060985535097798656">Anthony Slater</a> of <em>The Athletic</em>:</p>
<blockquote><p>“It’s something that we’re going to evaluate over the next few days. He’s still sore, it’s a strained groin, basically.</p>
<p>The MRI was encouraging, it’s going to be kind of a day-to-day thing. Obviously, we’re not going to do anything crazy. He’s going to be out until he’s healthy and ready to go.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Nonetheless, Golden State will likely be without Curry for the next game or two, due to the team’s conservative nature. Let’s take this opportunity to break down how Steph truly impacts this Warriors squad.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-329995" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1055847310-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>3. Shooting</h3>
<p>Not only is Stephen Curry a fantastic shooter, he owns the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/04/golden-state-warriors-is-stephen-curry-nba-best-shooter-ever/">best stroke</a> the league has ever seen. His combination of volume and accuracy is the deadliest in NBA history.</p>
<p>Curry’s 5.2 3-pointers per game currently leads the league. His ball-handling and quick release help him get his shot off in tough situations. Steph also uses his quickness to lose defenders off screens.</p>
<p>Despite the high volume, Steph shoots 49.2 percent from beyond the arc. This ranks ninth overall, but third among players averaging 2.0 3-point makes or better.</p>
<p>Basketball junkies know the true importance of a shooter. Sure, shooters equal points, but the impact extends far broader than this. When defenses tend to a elite shooter like Steph, it creates space offensively.</p>
<p>Because defenders cannot leave Curry, teammates like Kevin Durant face less resistance near the hoop. This allows Durant (27.4 points per game) more room to create. Either way, opponents are forced to pick their poison.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2. Scoring</h3>
<p>Curry averages 29.5 points per game, which ranks No. 1 in the NBA so far.</p>
<p>Steph scores in a variety of ways. Obviously, he hits a significant number of 3-pointers. However, he also scores at the rim and from the mid-range. Although it’s his deep shots that receive the glory, Curry’s other facets are nearly as impressive.</p>
<p>Per <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01/shooting/2019" ref="nofollow">Basketball Reference</a>, Steph averages 3.3 rim attempts per game, converting on 2.0. He averages 2.5 attempts from 3-10 feet away, splashing 56.7 percent.</p>
<p>In addition to the deep shot, Steph also hits from inside the arc. From the longer mid-range (16 feet-to-3-point arc) he averages 2.5 attempts, sinking 50.0 percent of them.</p>
<p>This season, Curry scored 20+ points in his first 10 games. He’s dropped 28 or better in nine of his 12 games. Steph also put up an astounding 51 points in October’s win over Washington.</p>
<p>Obviously, Curry has quite the scoring resume already this season. The most impressive stat? He’s shooting a blistering 49.2 percent from downtown, despite the ridiculous volume of 10.5 attempts per game.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>1. Fire!</h3>
<p>A common misconception with Curry involves his demeanor. Surface-level fans see him as relaxed, cocky and a bit goofy. The mouth-guard and shimmy antics add to this perception.</p>
<p>However, anyone watching for more than five minutes will notice the passion. No one likes winning more than Steph.</p>
<p>The hard-driven nature started at a young age. Steph’s father, former NBA player <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dell Curry</a>, noticed his son’s fiery passion early on. Here’s how Dell described watching his son, per <em><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://www.si.com/nba/2015/05/21/stephen-curry-mvp-golden-state-warriors-sports-illustrated-nba-playoffs">Sports Illustrated</a></em>:</p>
<blockquote><p>“I had to get out of there, I felt bad for the other team. I couldn’t watch what he was doing to those kids.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Fast forward to today, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr notices similar traits. Here’s what Kerr says, per <em><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/golden-state-warriors-3-significant-stephen-curry-impacts/"https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/killer-curry-crucial-factor-warriors-pursuit-73-wins">NBC Sports</a></em>:</p>
<blockquote><p>“What goes unnoticed is Steph is a killer. He is an unbelievable competitor. Maybe people are fooled because of the way he looks, or his demeanor. Everything seems to be so easy for him. But he is an absolute killer competitor.</p></blockquote>
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<p>Steph’s scoring pop and shooting stroke elevated the Warriors to a powerhouse squad. However, it’s his drive to win that pushed Golden State to championship heights.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
