Introduction
We as NBA fans tend to take the beauty of the game when it's being put right in front of our eyes for granted. Yet, once this greatness and once-in-a-lifetime type of production is put to past, we then start reminiscing it. This is why we're here to stop this and make you realize, you have to appreciate greatness before it's gone! Steph Curry just had arguably the greatest offensive season in the history of the game, he did something we've never seen any player in history do before.
After missing Steph Curry for almost the full 2020 NBA season, he was finally back and healthy to go for the 2021 NBA season. They definitely had expectations to make some noise for the playoffs after one of their worst seasons of all time, finishing 15-50. Starting off the 2021 season, the Warriors just got destroyed by the Nets and Bucks by a combined 65+ pts. Steph put up extremely bad numbers in these two games, averaging less than 20 PPG, 8 APG, and 4 RPG on -10.8% RTS. Of course, this caused a huge overreaction in the NBA community...
Steph Curry's Impact
Steph Curry himself said he took all these comments to heart. He takes it personally, and that's exactly why he averaged 32.4 PPG, 5.7 APG, 5.5 RPG on 48/43/91 splits, and 66% true shooting for the rest of the season. The fact that people still hate on Steph Curry because the Warriors didn't make the playoffs is ludicrous, especially when considering the situation and how bad his supporting cast was outside Wiggins and Draymond.
For starters, the only other shot-creator, or consistent scorer on his team is Andrew Wiggins. This team was filled with inefficient and unready offensive players. I mean just based on the fact that the Warriors had a -2.8% RTS (54.4% true shooting) with Steph Curry off the floor (44.1/36.1/73.7), which would make them the 3rd worst in true shooting efficiency, really shows how much this team crumbles without the presence of Steph Curry on the court. The crazy part about all of this is, it literally gets worse as per 100 possessions, the Warriors only average 101.8 PPG with Curry OFF THE FLOOR! This is so bad, not only are the Warriors now 11.6 points worse than the league average points per game with Curry off the floor; they would also be dead last in points per game with the Cavs in second, who average 103.8 ppg over the course of the 2021 season. It's so insane how badly the Warriors are with Steph Curry not on the floor, even the eye test shows how the warriors can't generate offense without arguably the g.o.a.t offensive player.
I mean if you compare those stats when Curry is off the floor to when Curry is on the floor, it's a tremendous difference. For one, the Warriors have almost a +13 ppg increase with Curry on the floor than off per 100 possessions, scoring 114.2 ppg per 100 possessions with curry on the floor. That alone puts them in the top 10 in the league's scoring this season with Curry on the floor, which is just a crazy difference to being by far the league's lowest-scoring team with Curry off the floor. On top of this, the warriors also tremendously improve efficiency-wise with a +3.43% RTS (60.6% TS) with Curry on the floor (48/38/81). These are all numbers that prove having Steph on the court ensures every player the easiest baskets they can possibly find. I mean, when you have a player that grabs so much attention from the defense, having arguably the g.o.a.t scoring gravity due to his crazy shooting ability with and without the ball, with underrated inside the arc scoring on that efficiency... In addition to his insane on-ball passing wizardry; you really have a player that takes all the pressure away for his teammates giving them easy open finding buckets from everywhere around the court.
Steph Curry's Insane Scoring
It is no question that Steph Curry is at the bare minimum a top 2 scorer in the league. He just came off leading the league in points per game, at an insane 32 PPG. In fact, of the top 30 single scoring seasons of all time PPG-wise, Steph Curry had by far the most efficient scoring season with a 65.5% TS. It's so insane, that the player in second place behind Curry, was 2013-14 KD who averaged 32 ppg on 63.5% TS. It's actually crazy when you realize how efficient Curry was, with mediocre spacing and offensive help, and in addition to the volume scoring that he had the past season.
The dude lead the league in scoring with a +8.3% RTS, and with the attention from the defense that he had, it just adds to the absolute craziness and proves how this singular season might have been the greatest scoring season ever.
When talking about the most versatile scorers and best 3-level scorers in the league, players like Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, Chris Paul, and Nikola Jokic are names who are deservingly mentioned, but why does Steph Curry always left out in these conversations? The mainstream media always likes to mention how good of a shooter he is, but never mentions his insane finishing with great touch under the basket, many unexpected yet effectively acrobatic layups,
a nice pull-up mid-range game from short and deep, underrated post scoring, and being arguably the goat free-throw shooter.
Steph is a 66% finisher at the rim on 4.2 attempts a game, this actually better than players like Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook who all have a great reputation as finishers. From the Mid-range area, he attempts 4.8 shots a game on an insane 49%, better than all-time mid-range scorers like Demar, Kawhi, and Dirk which is extremely impressive and surprising. His inside the arc scoring is insane and this just proves he can score anywhere inside, yet these are actually his two worst aspects as a scorer. The man is undisputedly the goat shooter and shot 42.1% on 12.7 attempts from behind the arc alone, which means he also holds the record for the most 3 pointers made per game in a season in NBA history. He also shot 91.6% from the free-throw line on 6.3 FT attempts per game, like the fact that he can score literally from everywhere at an efficient level is absolutely crazy. It is so crazy, that he might be the only 4-level scorer in the league. Curry can put pressure on the defense as soon as he steps half-court because he's a legitimate threat from 30+ feet, so insane that he's shot 45% from that range. If this doesn't prove that Steph Curry is the best scorer in the NBA, I honestly don't know what will.
Steph Curry's All-Time Playmaking
Now the average NBA fan, might look at Steph Curry's 5.8 assists per game and right him off as a playmaker; but what they don't understand is, just assists ≠ playmaking. I mean for one, he plays in a system where ball movement is prioritized and even the numbers can back this up as he finished top 3 in the NBA in secondary assists per game, which also doesn't even look at plays where the Warriors are making 3-4 passes before a shot due to Curry's gravity creating openings for teammates.
Secondly, Steph Curry is easily the greatest off-ball playmaker of all time with his underrated touch passing to teammates he does when finding a cutter, being the goat floor spacer running around screens with insane off-ball IQ, which forces the defense to collapse on Curry and will open up lanes for teammates. In addition, when you look at other things like being the g.o.a.t guard screen setter (2.6 SAP per game) and being a sneaky and crazy good cutter, this basically makes it undisputed that Curry is by far the goat off-ball playmaker, he even showcased it this season where he had to do to all the carrying. He's one of the league's best on-ball playmakers, with insane half-court passing, having the ability to make long reads over the trap, very good at finding cutters, being arguably the best no-look passer in the NBA (necessary for transition plays, or to get a quick bucket) and just overall has an insane passing vision. When it comes to the numbers, box creation is by far the most valuable playmaking stat, Steph Curry finished top 7 this season with a ridiculous 13.8 BOC. This is just insane how the stat proves he's a top 5-7 playmaker, but with context, off-ball playmaking, and the eye test, he's easily the best playmaker in the NBA. Like a wise man that goes by the name of Draymond Green once said, "if Steph Curry can't make you better, you are just trash".
G.O.A.T Portability
For the people who don't really understand what portability is, it's essentially the ability to fit and produce well in a multitude of different roles, and the ability to be as flexible in many different systems. Players who can be a great ceiling AND floor raiser, be efficient, be great off-ball, and players who are easy to play with are considered portable players.
All of this description literally is Steph Curry. Like instead of describing what portability means, pointing out Steph Curry defines portability. As touched on before, his off-ball movement especially being the biggest threat of all time as a shooter makes him extremely portable and easy to play with. He's not a player that is ball demanding either, nor does he waste possessions with a high missed shot rate, being one of the league's most efficient players is another way to maximize touches for teammates. Just based on catch and shoot stats, Steph had a 65.6% EFG which is insane considering the league average EFG% is around 53. This is something I can confidently say your favourite player can't do unless his name is Wardell Stephen Curry II.
Steph Curry's Clutch Offense
This past season, Steph Curry showed up when it mattered the most. Steph Curry was treating crunch time like he was playing against middle schoolers and still dominated, even when the majority of the Warrior games came from close games. Every game counted as they ended up being the 8th seed, so you'd think the pressure would get to Steph Curry, but it didn't. The man was playing with a high motor, not being afraid of the moment and getting in isos to score deep pull-up threes, was getting to the paint with absolute craft, and even made quick and effective reads. He averaged 4 clutch points per game in 3.5 minutes (39.8 PPG per 75 possessions) on 64.9% True shooting. I have genuinely never seen anyone who has just had this much confidence to just playing around and make the game look easy, but then basically play at a historic level even in highly pressured moments.
CONCLUSION
If you were hating on Steph or weren't appreciating him enough, I hope this article was enough for you to realize how good Steph really is, and I hope this overall just boosted everyone's knowledge to give a deeper perspective on how historic Steph Curry played last season. The man had all-time scoring, all-time portability, all-time playmaking, all-time clutch play, all-time impact which solidifies him into being in the conversations of the greatest singular offensive seasons of all time. The man just came off a season averaging 32/6/6 on 66% TS for crying out loud. So please pay your respect to Wardell Steph Curry II.