Seriously, there are no words to describe Stephen Curry a.k.a Chef Curry, and the maestro performance he put on in Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings.
With the Warriors’ season, dynasty, and championship window on the line, Curry did what only a handful of players in NBA history could do: he single-handedly beat a team in the playoffs by scoring an NBA record 50 points in Game 7.
50 PIECE@Verizon || Reliable Moments pic.twitter.com/dNpGwqdYfs
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 1, 2023
Just think about how insane that record is when you look at the pantheon of greats who have played this artful game called basketball: Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Shaquille O’Neal.
Based on today’s game, it’s not foolish to suggest that Curry is in the G.O.A.T conversation — especially if he wins a fifth ring during the same era as James and Durant.
“He doesn’t surprise me,” Kerr said. “We all take him for granted because he’s brilliant night after night, and we’ve been watching this for 10 years. You just have to remind yourself every once in a while, big picture, this is one of the great players in the history of the game.
“But that’s how I felt back in my playing days with Michael Jordan. You’d see it night after night so you just took it for granted. That’s how it is with Stephen Curry: It’s over and over and over again, and the resilience and the work that goes into that and the focus is incredible to watch.”
Stephen Curry’s Heroics
With the struggles of many of his teammates for most if not all of the game, from Klay Thompson, who couldn’t make a shot for the majority of the game, to Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins finishing a combined 12 for 44, the Warriors seemed destined for a first-round exit.
Golden State missed 11 free throws, and other than Kevon Looney’s Bill Russell-esque rebounding, there was nothing about this game that suggested the Warriors could win besides Curry. Turns out, he’s pretty much all you need.
Curry’s remarkable efficiency, coupled with his incredible range and versatility, make him one of the most talented players of all time. Where he, or anyone else, ranks in the all-time player pantheon is a matter of opinion. But it’s getting to the point where you can’t responsibly keep him out of the G.O.A.T conversation.
“I know a lot of people will scoff at the idea of Curry rising to the Rushmore ranks,” Kerr said. “But that’s how I felt back in my playing days with Michael Jordan. You’d see it night after night so you just took it for granted.”
Curry’s merits are starting to speak for themselves, and he’s not even close to done. He is playing as great as he ever has with no signs of slowing down.
What if he gets his fifth title, equaling the likes of Magic and Kobe Bryant and topping Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James, whom he now has the chance to eliminate from the playoffs for the fourth time?
Stephen Curry’s Future
There’s still a long way to go for Curry to put another ring on his finger, but it’s certainly within reach. At this point, in these playoffs, anyone can win.
If Curry does it, there are going to be some tough conversations to have about where a guy that has never fit the traditional ideals of an all-time player actually ranks as an all-time player. Because it might be getting pretty close to the top. Close enough, at least, to have an honest conversation.
“You can always go into the memory bank of how you feel in these types of environments because there are still nerves and butterflies,” Curry said. “Once the ball drops, it’s just playing basketball at the end of the day.
“To watch Steph have the game he had, total domination,” said Draymond Green. “These are the moments, I’m a basketball fan and as a fan, you can appreciate it. But as his teammate, that’s the guy you want to go to war with. … He left no doubt.”
Curry’s performance against the Kings was one for the history books. It’s clear that he is one of the most talented players of all time, and his legacy is only growing stronger with each passing game. T
he Warriors have a long road ahead of them, but it’s clear that Curry is more than ready to take them to the finish line. Let the conversations about where he ranks among the G.O.A.T.s continue – but one thing is certain: Curry is a force to be reckoned with.
He’s one of one.
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