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Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has seen Michael Jordan fall in so many impossible shots over the years that he must have laughed when asked if the circus behind Stephen Curry’s head shot the end of the first quarter of Tuesday night’s 114-91 win at the San Antonio Spurs reminded him of what the Chicago Bulls legend did regularly.
“This game was kind of Jordanian,” Kerr said. “I saw [Jordan] do this movement several times. Go to the rim and get dirty and just do it back. He wasn’t always successful, but he loved taking that shot. It was an incredible example of body control and touch and feel. What a great photo. “
In a career filled with incredible games, Curry’s whirlwind shot through three Spurs in the lane was one of the most interesting in recent memory. With 2:01 left in the first quarter, he took a pass over the 3-point line from Draymond Green and dribbled to the rim past Spurs swingman DeMar DeRozan and veteran Rudy Gay, who was coming on the right side to try to cut. off Curry. Once he got close to the rim, Curry jumped into Spurs guard Lonnie Walker, considered throwing a pass to Warriors guard Kent Bazemore in the corner, but changed his mind once he heard the whistle.
Curry passed the ball over his head with his right hand. Spurs defenders were in awe of trying to figure out how Curry twisted his body in the air to complete such a play.
“It was fun,” Curry admitted after the game. “I don’t know the ranking, but it was up there for sure. I had to improvise. I don’t even really know how to explain it; I just had a good flow once I Got the ignition and heard the whistle. Just mount it on the glass as you can. All the wild and acrobatic shots you practice or attempt, instincts take over – that was pretty cool. “
The game left teammates and coaches in awe – a reminder that Curry is playing at a different level at this point in his career.
“Dude, I should go back in the jump for that one,” Green said with a smile when asked to rank the game as one of Curry’s all-time moments. “It was good. Get the fault and just flip it up there. I don’t know if he did that. [claps arms together], but it was very close to a little MJ flip. It was nice. So it was a good idea. “
The move even seemed to surprise Curry himself – but it brushed aside any comparison to Jordan and the high-flying acrobatics MJ has exhibited throughout his career.
“There was nothing high-flying or over-the-rim about it,” Curry said. “So at least I’ll take the [Steve Smith] Smitty’s “under the rim” list. I will accept this recognition. But yes, I changed hands; this is the only comparison. “
Even as Curry tried to downplay his latest achievement, his teammates couldn’t believe what they had just seen.
“If you look at me on the bench, I’m like, ‘Oh, my God, this is crazy! Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson said. I am a stan, however. I think he is currently the best player in the world. Baze [Bazemore] said the other day: [Curry’s] just unreal. And the fact that I can watch him closely, I can watch whatever he does, that’s just – it’s cool to watch.
“I don’t take this for granted. I don’t think we’ll ever see anyone, I don’t want to say it, but for a very long time we won’t see someone like Steph Curry.
Curry’s photo was taken on the last night of one of the most impressive road trips he’s had in recent times. During the Warriors’ four-game swing at Dallas and San Antonio, Curry had 149 points in four games and went 25 for 50 from beyond the arc. After a slow start to the season, Curry rose to the challenge of bringing an under-endowed team back to the playoffs, a challenge that became even more difficult in Texas because the Warriors were playing without big men James Wiseman (wrist) and Kevon Looney. (ankle). ).
“I’m fortunate to be healthy after last year,” said Curry. “And obviously the way the season started all the kind of commentary and gossip and all that, I worked my ass off in the offseason with rehab, and I’m just happy to play night after night …” I feel strong, I feel in rhythm, I feel in ultimate control of my game. My shots fall. And it all comes with, not only my own confidence, but the growing confidence of our team, in the way we try to play. Win or lose, that familiarity and comfort comes game after game, so that’s important. I really feel the strongest I have ever been. I have a lot of energy, I feed off my guys and I just try to play. It’s a good atmosphere at the moment. “
Curry is playing so well that Kerr reiterated what he said last week: He thinks the 32-year-old goaltender is playing the best basketball of his career.
“I think that’s part of Steph’s brilliance, is that he constantly amazes you to the point that you almost take him for granted,” Kerr said. “I think, and maybe it’s circumstantial given the injuries and the fact that he’s playing with a different group of guys – it’s the best I’ve ever seen him just from a confidence and strength. And that says something, obviously, twice MVP, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him better. “
It’s a sentiment Green echoed, saying he also believes his longtime teammate is playing “the best basketball of his career.” After all the frustration from parts of the fanbase over the past few days over whether Kerr and the Warriors would allow Curry to play a few more minutes past the initial 34-minute mark the team had set him throughout the season, a win, and Curry’s Amazing Play provided a healthy dose of happiness for a group that struggled to find consistency all year round.
Kerr couldn’t help but smile once again when asked if he had considered keeping Curry and Green out of Tuesday’s game, after saying after Monday’s loss to San Antonio that he wouldn’t sacrifice Curry’s minutes just to “chase wins” this season.
“We have been thinking,” Kerr said. “But I had heard so much from our fans over the last few days, I just decided, ‘You know what? I really should put them back so everyone is happy. “”
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