Stephen Curry does not have the same standard as his colleagues in the position of guard. Most would be thrilled with an average of 26.4 points and 6.6 assists in five games, but for Curry, this led to a critical attack. His Warriors were 2-3 with his number of low kicks, and this raised questions about how capable he was of leading a team without superstars to help carry the load.
Well, if Sunday was an indication, he’ll be fine. Curry scored 62 points, the best of his career, in 18 of 31 shots as he led the Warriors in the 137-122 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. He did this against Damian Lillard, his contemporary in the position of point guard, and a player who has gained credit for leading lower ranks in recent years, while Curry was winning championships in super teams. Curry’s slow start has led many to wonder if Lillard was the top player, but for now, Curry’s place at the top of the positional hierarchy seems more than safe.
But that doesn’t mean he forgot to disrespect the first five games of the season. In fact, it motivated him. After the game, he talked about Michael Jordan’s attitude during The last dance. He took it personally.
“You know the Jordan meme, right? Curry. “As crazy as it sounds after the game, all we really wanted was to win the first quarter and go from there. Obviously, we did it and we continue with the momentum. We have a winning spirit, we have to find out how to do this consistently and, against the good teams in the league, it will test us. “
Curry had every reason to take this criticism personally. He’s a three-time champion and twice an MVP, but fans were ready to re-enliven the last five years of his career based on five games he played with a completely new squad. There is a reasonable argument to be made that the 32-year-old version of Curry is less valuable than the one with which Golden State won championships, but to suggest that he was no longer the best point guard in the NBA or perhaps he never was in first place. place, it has always been a bridge too far.
Curry reminded the basketball world of what he is capable of on Sunday, but he also reminded the basketball world of not doubting him. He may be older, he may not have Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson flanking him, but he is still the main point guard in the NBA, and the moment you forget that, he will remind you with an explosive exit like this.