Steve Kerr reiterates that Stephen Curry’s defense has been underrated this season. Often attacked because of his size, which notably allowed LeBron James to target him during duels between the Cavaliers and the Warriors, the leader nevertheless remains overall a good defender, especially in his team’s game plan.
The best illustration? This sequence in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the conference final between the Warriors and the Mavericks. Golden State struggles to score but maintains its lead on defense.
On this action, Luka Doncic struggled to secure the rebound and Dallas’ possession started late. There are only 12 seconds left on the clock when Spencer Dinwiddie can actually start putting something together. A double screen from Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith should allow him to attack Nemanja Bjelica, but the Serb and Klay Thompson “blitz” to avoid the one-on-one too advantageous for the Maverick.
A small defensive marvel
Spencer Dinwiddie therefore passes to Dorian Finney-Smith who cuts towards the circle, in order to take advantage of the double take, and create a gap on the other side. Stephen Curry then tries to intercept the ball, while Kevon Looney came in the key to protect the circle. It frees Jalen Brunson but Andrew Wiggins rushes in and his teammate anticipates, crossing the assist to go on his side on Luka Doncic.
After this defense in X, Stephen Curry does not throw himself, and especially tries to hinder the Slovenian on his penetration, while Nemanja Bjelica comes to help. There is then a new shift on the other side, which Luka Doncic tries to use, but Kevon Looney then throws himself, and Stephen Curry crosses again… and goes to counter Dorian Finney-Smith.
Golden State’s defensive intensity is very impressive, helped by the late start to possession. The Warriors thus do not allow advantageous duels, the aids are done perfectly, both Kevon Looney who protects the circle and Andrew Wiggins who dives into the corner, or Nemanja Bjelica who cuts the penetration.
As for Stephen Curry, not known for his defensive qualities, he narrowly missed the interception then read the movements of his teammates to make two assists in X to hinder Luka Doncic then counter Dorian Finney-Smith. As Steve Kerr says, his activity on this side of the pitch has arguably been underestimated this season.
| Stephen Curry | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2009-10 | GOS | 80 | 36 | 46.2 | 43.7 | 88.5 | 0.6 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 3.2 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 17.5 |
| 2010-11 | GOS | 74 | 34 | 48.0 | 44.2 | 93.4 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 18.6 |
| 2011-12 | GOS | 26 | 28 | 49.0 | 45.5 | 80.9 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 5.3 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 14.7 |
| 2012-13 | GOS | 78 | 38 | 45.1 | 45.3 | 90.0 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 0.2 | 22.9 |
| 2013-14 | GOS | 78 | 37 | 47.1 | 42.4 | 88.5 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 8.5 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| 2014-15 ★ | GOS | 80 | 33 | 48.7 | 44.3 | 91.4 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 7.7 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 0.2 | 23.8 |
| 2015-16 ★ | GOS | 79 | 34 | 50.4 | 45.4 | 90.8 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 6.7 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 0.2 | 30.1 |
| 2016-17 | GOS | 79 | 33 | 46.8 | 41.1 | 89.8 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 25.3 |
| 2017-18 | GOS | 51 | 32 | 49.5 | 42.3 | 92.1 | 0.7 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 26.4 |
| 2018-19 | GOS | 69 | 34 | 47.2 | 43.7 | 91.6 | 0.7 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 27.3 |
| 2019-20 | GOS | 5 | 28 | 40.2 | 24.5 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 6.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 20.8 |
| 2020-21 | GOS | 63 | 34 | 48.2 | 42.1 | 91.6 | 0.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.1 | 32.0 |
| 2021-22 | GOS | 64 | 35 | 43.7 | 38.0 | 92.3 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 25.5 |
| Total | 826 | 34 | 47.3 | 42.8 | 90.8 | 0.7 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 6.5 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 24.3 | |
