Stephen Curry summons Michael Jordan in response to early season criticism: ‘I’m taking it all personally’



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Stephen Curry is not held to the same level as his peers as a point guard. Most would be delighted to have averaged 26.4 points and 6.6 assists in five games, but for Curry, it led to a wave of criticism. His Warriors were 2-3 with his shooting numbers low, which raised questions about his ability to lead a team without superstars to help carry the load.

Now, if Sunday was any indication, he’ll be fine. Curry scored a career-high 62 points on 18 of 31 shots to lead the Warriors to a 137-122 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. He did so against Damian Lillard, his contemporary at the post of point guard, and a player who has gained credit for leading lower rosters in recent years as Curry won championships on super teams. Curry’s slow start has led many to question whether Lillard is the top player, but for now, Curry’s place at the top of the positional hierarchy seems more than secure.

But that doesn’t mean he forgot the disrespect for the first five games of the season. If anything, it drove him. After the game, he spoke about Michael Jordan’s attitude for The last dance. He took it personally.

“You know the Jordan meme, don’t you? I take it all personally. I felt the opportunity to assert my will on the game early on and try to build up the energy, and you know , start off on the right foot, ”Curry said. . “As crazy as it sounds after the game, all we really wanted to do was win the first quarter and go from there. Obviously that’s what we did, and we continued on. our momentum. I have to figure out how to do it consistently, and against the good teams in the league, that’s going to test us. “

Curry had every reason to take this review personally. He is a three-time champion and two-time MVP, but fans were ready to revive the last five years of his career based on five games he has played with a brand new team. There is a reasonable argument to be made that the 32-year-old version of Curry is less valuable than the one Golden State won championships with, but to suggest that he was no longer the best point guard in the NBA or that he might never have been in the first place, there was always a bridge too far.

Curry reminded the basketball world of what he is capable of on Sunday, but he also reminded the basketball world not to doubt him. He might be older, he might not have Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson by his side, but he’s still the NBA’s first point guard, and when you forget him, now is the time. where he’ll remind you with an explosive exit like this.



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