Why Stephen Curry Is the Perfect Combo Guard In the NBA
The Golden State Warriors have been incredibly fortunate this year to have the full Stephen Curry experience and it has been paying dividends not only for the front office but for the fan base as well. Although Curry didn’t make the All-Star team, he’s played at an All-Star level, and is one of the main reasons the team is ready to punch its ticket to the postseason.
Curry’s offensive game is what makes him especially dangerous. He drives to the hoop intelligently, using his footwork and body to make up for his lack of elite athleticism. And then there’s his famous jumpshot, the most aesthetically pleasing one next Ray Allen’s. Steph’s range and super-quick release make him one of the toughest shooters to defend.
As a commentator, Mark Jackson often proclaimed, “Hand down, man down!” This was his way of saying that if the defender doesn’t contest the shooter’s field goal attempt, that shooter will knock down the bucket. That saying rings especially true for Steph because he will make defenders pay for giving him even a fleeting look at the hoop.
Mar 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) comes up court after scoring against Chicago Bulls during the first period at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Curry’s effectiveness in playing off the ball made him even more valuable. The Warriors best lineup involves #30 shifting to the SG slot, allowing Jarrett Jack to run point. With Jack running the point, Steph can run around screens for easy catch-and-shoot opportunities. Curry at the space the floor, allowing David Lee to operate in the post without having to worry about double teams coming from the perimeter.
Stephen Curry never really played point guard when he attended Davidson University. It wasn’t until his junior (and final) season at college when he started to run the Davidson offense. He immediately excelled at it, not only raising his assist numbers drastically but he also managed to increase his scoring output as well. Once Curry got to the NBA, he worked harder on becoming the point guard, and now is able to create easier opportunities for his teammates, and his career high of 6.7 assists per game.
Curry is the perfect “Combo-guard.” Even though he’s undersized, he still has the savvy to play both guard spots and play them effectively. He can score as well as he can distribute, which is evidenced by his seven dimes per game. The only things I would say Stephen could work on are his defense and weight. Both of which shouldn’t be too difficult as defense requires better footwork and effort, and gaining weight is something he can accomplish by hitting the gym in the offseason.