Newly crowned NBA champion for the fourth time in his career and MVP (most valuable player) of the Finals for the first time, with the second of these trophies beside him at the press conference table, the first question Stephen Curry answered after winning the title against the Boston Celtics early this Friday morning ( 17), was about the meaning of finally winning the individual cup.
Drafted 7th overall out of Davidson in 2009, 8x NBA All-Star, 2x #KiaMVP… and now 4x NBA CHAMPION in Year 13.
First team Bill Russell #NBAFinals MVP…Stephen Curry! #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/0xvQOmcAIl
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2022
“Forget it, we are champions. Why start with that question?” countered Curry.
As much as he refutes or may simply not care about the feat in question, it is a fact that the achievement, or rather the absence of it, served for years as the last argument still standing for his detractors. How to be considered one of the best in history if, even champion for three times, in none of them was he elected the best on the court in a decision? Now this imaginary requirement no longer exists as an obstacle. And that opens your eyes to how much a living legend of world basketball had to do to be validated in the same way as other stars, many of them without such a loaded resume.
At 34 years old, before stepping onto the court in the final, Curry already had the following repertoire: three NBA titles, two MVP of the regular season, two of the season’s basket, one of MVP of the Star Game and one of MVP of the Conference Finals (award created this season). In addition, he is the record holder for 3-pointers in both NBA history and one season and a member of the prestigious club of the top 75 names in the league in history.
The @warriors put a bow on the #NBA75 season with a Game 6 win to become the 2021-22 NBA champions ? pic.twitter.com/72yrh7E4XX
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2022
However, his feats were seen by many as less impressive given the fact that he played for an above-average team, in a transitional game system, constant movement off the ball and appreciation of long-range shooting that dominated the league for years. . In the first title, in 2014-2015, the award for best player of the Finals went to Andre Iguodala, responsible for scoring LeBron James (who had more than 35 points averaging in that series). In 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, star Kevin Durant, who reinforced an already very talented squad, received the honor, with decisive plays and being the main scorer.
The impression is that many experts and former athletes were slow to recognize that it was possible to win and be a first-rate star with the long-distance shooting as the main weapon. For decades, the idea was taught that the right way to play basketball is mostly to aim for the shot near the rim. Three-balls were more show than strategy to be taken seriously. Furthermore, during the Warriors’ golden years, the constant feeling that team titles were inevitable seemed to leave a sour taste in those who preferred a more balanced setting. The new style of play in vogue and the most representative figure of it, Curry, would be putting an end to basketball.
Steph would like to be sized for his ring ? #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/ETLYtzRlnu
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2022
Over the past two seasons, with the franchise slipping out of the spotlight because of an off-season following Durant’s departure, Curry’s perception has shifted. In 2019-2020, he fractured his hand early in the season and Golden State ended up with the worst record in the league. In 2020-2021, with Curry recovered, but accompanied by a squad still lacking and full of youngsters and players looking for space in the league, the Warriors did not go to the playoffs. There some skeptics fell, as the point guard achieved a career-best scoring average (32.0 per game) and seemed to play just for fun. Even so, he still lacked the supposed requirement to enter the discussion of the greatest figures in history.
The curious thing is that, when it finally achieved what was missing, the season as a whole was not the most brilliant. Recognized as an elite kicker, for the first time in his career (disregarding the year of the injury) he made less than 40% of his three-pointers (converted 38%, still above average). In addition, he had long periods of performance below his usual (high) level and ended the regular season injured.
But at the most important moment he was decisive, averaging 30.6 points in the final and 43 points in the all-important Game 4, in Boston, which was the turning point in the series. It was impossible not to recognize how essential he was and crown that with the award of MVP of the Finals. But the greatest value to him was not that. It was overcoming suspicions about the ability to be champion once again. For many, he would never be champion again. Consequently, the missing prize was unattainable.
The realization of being a Champion once again. pic.twitter.com/4NTDZzQc6m
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2022
“I clearly remember some experts showing a big zero when they answered how many titles we would win from now on for everything we’ve been through the last two seasons. We listen to it all, not letting it distract us, but we carry it. When we get here, it all comes out. It’s special,” said Curry.
So Curry pretty much assumed that other people’s arguments don’t go in one ear and out the other. And now he must enjoy one of the most peaceful moments of his career. The one where there is nothing more to say about him. Not that it was justified before, but now there is nothing else. Recognition came, possibly later than for any other multi-champion star in the NBA, but it did.
