Stephen Curry Taking Golden State Warriors to New Heights
The Golden State Warriors’ latest triumph was their most complete effort of the season, and it came at the expense of the class of the Eastern conference in the much improved Toronto Raptors. The Warriors stormed out of the gate with their foot on the accelerator and didn’t let up (40 points in the first quarter, a season-high), displaying exceptional effort on both sides of the ball until the final whistle had blown.
The Warriors had 35 assists on 49 baskets, 24 fast break points, and 50 points in the paint. Despite the frenetic pace, the Warriors committed a season-low nine turnovers.
Warriors lead the NBA in point per game differential (+10.1), field goal percentage (.483), field goal percentage defense (.422), and assists per game (26.4)
Golden State’s statistical dominance has been well-chronicled this season. After all, the Warriors lead the NBA in point per game differential (+10.1), field goal percentage (.483), field goal percentage defense (.422), and assists per game (26.4).
Golden State is 10-0 against the Eastern Conference this year, 13-1 at home, and has rattled off 11 straight home wins. What has allowed the Warriors to achieve such marked success? You need not look too far beyond number 30.
Stephen Curry is the catalyst for Golden State, and did plenty to bolster his early MVP candidacy on Friday night with 32 points, 12 assists, five three-pointers made, and no turnovers in just 34 minutes of action.
Stephen Curry is the 1st player with 30 points, 12 assists and 0 turnovers since Chris Paul on Jan. 6, 2009.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 3, 2015
When the Toronto Raptors ignited a 21-5 run late in the second quarter to take the lead, Curry stabilized the situation with a crucial three-pointer that ensured the Warriors went into the half on top.
When the Raptors blitzed Curry at the top of the key, he made quick passes with surgical precision to the right spot in order to get his teammates easy baskets. When he wasn’t doubled, Curry attacked the rim at will or drained jumpers off the dribble. This game was a microcosm of Curry’s stellar season.
Stephen Curry leads the NBA in real plus-minus (RPM) at 7.45. This metric displays a player’s estimated on-court impact on team performance, measured in net point differential per 100 offensive and defensive possessions. RPM takes into account teammates, opponents, and additional factors.
Curry is also 5th in the NBA in Player efficiency rating (PER) at 26.92. The average PER for a player in the NBA is 15. PER is a quick way to gauge statistical prowess using a single number, since it takes into consideration minutes played and the pace of a team.
The Warriors’ depth is vastly improved from previous years. When Curry sits, however, the team offensive efficiency goes from other worldly to below average. This is a testament to the degree of attention Curry attracts from opposing defenses rather than a detraction of his teammates.
December 23, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen Curry was asked this offseason who was the better offensive player between himself and Lebron James. Curry confidently responded that he had the better offensive game. In the aftermath, Curry was censured by critics for making such an allegedly egregious statement.
Curry edges James in PER, has a sizable advantage in RPM, and runs the team with an NBA-best 26-5 record in the brutal Western Conference. Perhaps Curry’s assertion wasn’t as insane as the basketball pundits believed.
With Curry at the helm, the Golden State Warriors are a legitimate contender and a team to fear.
With Stephen Curry at the helm, the Golden State Warriors are the most dangerous team in the NBA.
Curry’s ability to get in the open floor and make the correct basketball play is uncanny. For this reason, coach
Steve Kerrhas preached running the floor and getting easy shots in transition.
Curry often threads the needle with precision passes, boasts elite ball-handling skills (quite possibly the best in the NBA) that creates open shots for himself or a teammate, and is deadly accurate from behind the three-point line. When he’s on, Curry is virtually unstoppable.
In the loaded Western Conference, there are traditionally no prohibitive favorites. The Golden State Warriors, with Curry playing the best basketball of his career, might be the exception.
The league is on notice.