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Golden State Warriors: How does Stephen Curry get so many open threes?

By Connor Littler

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a shot against the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 05, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a shot against the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 05, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. Flex Action

Flex is basically screening the screener. So this can be anywhere on the court but it usually involves Curry setting a screen for a teammate and then receiving a screen towards the top for a three.

Here’s how that looks:

This works by confusing the defense a bit and getting them behind the play. Curry’s screen is always for a play to cut to the basket. This is obviously very dangerous, so the defense must stay with the cutter even if they know it’s likely to be a decoy.

Curry’s defender will end up behind him slightly, meaning that any screen for Curry will give him lots of separation. This is how he gets so wide open off of this play.

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As a side note, this play often benefits his teammates just as much. Having a single play with two screens both involving Curry is dangerous.

The defense must stay so tight to Curry on screens to never give him even a sliver of daylight or he can release a shot. This means that quite often two players will go to Curry, leaving someone open for a layup or a dunk.

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