10 Jun. 2016 – Coming off a stellar season averaging 30.1 points per game shooting 50% from the field, and 45% from behind the arc, to go with 6.7 assists, and 2.1 steals, Curry has seen quite a dip in production throughout this series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His field goal percentage has gone down to 46%, his 3-point percentage has dipped to a very average 36%, and after averaging 2 fouls per game all season long, he has 10 for the series, including 4 in both games 2 and 3 with several of these fouls coming early forcing him to the bench. His turnover average has gone from 3.3 per game during the regular season, to 5 per game in the finals with 6 of his 15 total turnovers coming in the game 3 blowout loss at the Q. To make things worse, he’s only averaging 4.3 assists per game, making his assist to turnover ratio decrease from 2.0 during the regular season to 0.87. His steal numbers have gone down as well, only managing 2 for the whole series after leading the NBA in steals per game. The 48 points he’s scored in the first 3 games is his lowest in a span of 3 games for the season, both regular and post.
Looking at all of that, the two-time MVP obviously needs to start stepping up. The Cavs are not the Houston Rockets, or the Portland Trail Blazers, the Warriors cannot do this without him. If Curry continues to stink up the joint, get in foul trouble, make silly turnovers, and miss shots he usually makes, this series will not end well for Golden State, and all the talk about them winning last year with ease because of facing injured squads will make its way back to the surface. The record breaking 73 win season will mean absolutely nothing, no one will care. People will remember the 2015-16 season as the season LeBron James brought Cleveland its first major championship since 1964. Even Curry winning his second MVP award unanimously will eventually be forgotten.
Now that Curry is being labeled by some as the best basketball player in the world, he must be held to the same standards as those before him. LeBron James can’t have a bad preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers without being destroyed by almost every reporter or analyst around the world. Curry’s lack of production on the other hand was fine in the eyes of few since the Warriors were winning, but coming off a blowout loss in game 3, things have changed. Expectations will be higher than ever for him to at least perform. Winning would be a bonus, but even in defeat, Steph posting his usual numbers would calm fans and critics. Will he bounce back or continue his span of poor play? Tune into game 4 tonight at 4:00 AM Beirut time to find out.
Article by: Nick Husni
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