After offseason focused on perfection, Stephen Curry could be even more unstoppable

SAN FRANCISCO – Sometimes, Stephen Curry shot the ball without taking a dribble. Sometimes he pulled up from deep without being balanced. Sometimes he hoisted a shot despite a swarming defender giving him little space to move.

Often shooting the ball with the certainty of it falling into the basket, Curry, who has established himself as the NBA’s greatest shooter ever, was usually correct in his predictions.

Curry became the primary reason why the Warriors cemented a 115-113 win over the LA Clippers on Thursday at Chase Center. He finished with 45 points while shooting 16-of-25 from the field and 8-of-13 from 3-point range, marking the 50th time in his 13-year NBA career he had at least 40 points. He made two deep 3s in the final minute, including a pull-up from 31 feet and another from 26. And he then made two free throws with 4.7 seconds left to secure the win.

Only two days ago following the Warriors’ season-opening win over the Lakers, Curry described his triple-double performance as “trash” since he shot 5-of-21 from the field. It did not take long for Curry to turn his trash into treasure.

“Curry said, “I never ever worry about my shot.”

Why?

“Your confidence grows with the effort you put into your work,” said Curry. “You should always believe that your next shot is going to be a success.”

The effort Curry made during the last offseason might seem no different than any other. He consistently takes a lot of shots. However, Curry and his trainer, Brandon Payne, revealed to NBA.com a unique addition to Curry’s training routine last summer. This has contributed to Curry’s rise to third place for the most 45-point games for a player at least 33 years old (six), only behind Michael Jordan (11) and Bernard King (eight).

“Simply making shots in workouts isn’t satisfactory anymore,” Payne conveyed to NBA.com. “We’ve acknowledged that he consistently makes a lot of shots during workouts. Thus, we’ve deployed technology to enhance our precision even further.”

Having broken many scoring records and risen to the second position on the NBA’s all-time list for most 3-pointers (2,842), Curry used shot-tracking technology. This technology established that not all of his successful shots are of equal value.

Every time Curry launched a shot, the technology monitored the trajectory, arc, and depth of the ball in the rim. If the ball did not go through the center of the rim, it was deemed a missed shot by Curry and Payne. They used the same metric even when Curry made moving shots, a technique used to mimic shooting against an aggressive defender.

Curry explained to NBA.com, “Striving for perfection in the game was a mental challenge. If I missed 10 shots outside the target window, I’d have to repeat the drill 10 more times. It turns into a conditioning drill if you don’t get the shots in early. So, it’s crucial to stay focused and locked in. It simulates a game-like situation with pressure. It’s not ideal to be out there all day, exhausted because you can’t conquer the drill.”

Curry admitted he didn’t always succeed at the drill, leaving Payne with an awkward responsibility. He often reflected, “I have to inform the greatest shooter in history that his performance is inadequate.” Payne frequently questioned himself, “Should I be saying this to Stephen Curry?”

During a specific workout, Payne concluded that Curry needed to adjust his approach. In this session, Curry’s workout necessitated alternation between making mid-range jumpers and 3-point shots, only allowing him to change spots if his last shot was successful. Following several misses from Curry that kept him in the same spot, Payne commented, “If you would just finish strong at the top of your shot, we’d be able to wrap this up right now.”

Curry displayed a mix of annoyance and amusement before sinking 20 shots in a row to wrap up his workout. The same back-and-forth has occurred during both offseason and regular-season workouts with Warriors assistant coach Bruce Fraser. In Curry’s pre-game warmup, Fraser played the role of a physical defender determined to limit Curry’s mobility beyond the perimeter.

“Unless you’re engaged in pickup games, summers can feel quite lengthy. The workouts can get a bit repetitive if you allow them to,” Curry explained. “They have a knack for igniting that killer instinct. They do their utmost to prevent monotony.”

However, the Warriors have observed that Curry frequently becomes his own harshest critic.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr found it amusing that Curry described his first regular-season game as “trash,” even though he ended up with a triple-double of 21 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.

“Kerr stated that he holds himself to an exceptionally high standard, which motivates him daily. He has a deep understanding of the game and his position in it. Despite having barely received a scholarship after high school, he exudes a unique blend of confidence and swagger, earned through hard work, coupled with a deep-seated humility stemming from his past and the efforts he took to get to this point. This results in a wonderful mix of a star player on the court who also fits in seamlessly with the rest of the team. It’s an excellent quality for a top player to possess.”

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How Curry’s high standards could fuel another productive season

In recent years, Curry has had ample motivation to draw upon.

Having amassed three NBA championships and two Kia MVP awards in five Finals appearances, Curry found himself at a career crossroads over the last two seasons. Following a summer which saw the Warriors lose a crucial star to free agency (Kevin Durant), another to injury (Klay Thompson), and a valued veteran in a trade (Andre Iguodala), Curry only participated in five games in the 2019-20 season due to a broken left hand. As a result, the Warriors ended up with the poorest record in the NBA (15-50).

In the previous season, Curry re-entered the MVP debate by achieving a higher scoring average (32) and a nearly equivalent shooting percentage (48.2%) compared to his MVP years in 2014-15 (23.8 points with 48.7% shooting) and 2015-16 (30.1 points with 50.4% shooting). However, due to the Warriors managing an inexperienced roster, including a season-long injury to Curry’s All-Star teammate (Thompson) and inconsistent progress with the Warriors’ number 2 draft pick (James Wiseman), the team only made it to the NBA’s Play-In Tournament, where they lost their two play-in games.

Curry decided not to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, despite his desire to win his first gold medal. His decision was influenced by several factors: the risk of injury after recently recovering from a tailbone contusion, worries about exhaustion following a condensed 72-game season, and the importance of spending time with his family, which stringent COVID-19 protocols in Tokyo would have made difficult.

Curry stated, “I don’t harbor any regrets about that. I would have cherished being on that team. Let’s see what 2024 has in store.”

Rather than focusing on long-term goals, Curry prioritized short-term ones. From June to September end, he underwent training with Payne approximately five days a week, each session lasting three hours. Some of these sessions involved workouts with Michael Porter Jr., a forward for the Denver Nuggets, who is also a trainee of Payne.

“Both guys hardly missed,” commented Payne. “It’s surprising if the ball even touches the rim. They both have excellent control over the basketball and a massive appetite to learn, improve and perfect their skills.”

Curry reported that he had gained between two to three pounds of muscle. He underwent the same process during the 2021 off-season for different reasons. Firstly, he aimed to optimize his chances of remaining healthy, having spent the early part of his career dealing with ankle injuries. Additionally, Curry wanted to enhance his capability to handle contact from opponents, whether he was shooting from the perimeter or driving to the basket.

Curry, aged 33, stated, “I still possess the capability to do everything I desire. I aim to sustain this for many more years ahead.”

Curry’s validation came when he interviewed Jordan at the Ryder Cup. He humorously asked Jordan about his comments made two years ago on the Today show, questioning why he had argued that Curry wasn’t a Hall of Famer. “I had to break the ice a little bit,” he said. However, Curry’s true focus was on addressing a matter more significant than this past disagreement.

“Competitive spirit is still palpable,” Curry commented. “Our love for the game is unparalleled. He was so passionate about it that he switched his focus to golf. His competitive flame is so strong that he needed an outlet. That’s significant.”

Curry can still unleash his competitive spirit thankfully, both on the golf course and the basketball court.

Curry expressed appreciation for being included in the NBA’s Top 75 Anniversary Team, but also contended that Thompson and Green deserved to be on the list as well.

@StephenCurry30 reacts to being named to the #NBA75 team… as well as his idol @ReggieMillerTNT! pic.twitter.com/JmEQbgylwr

— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2021

“Being on that list, especially while still actively playing, is an incredible feeling,” said Curry. “It signifies the immense effort you have put into the game and what I believe I still have to contribute. Undoubtedly, those two guys merit their places on that list. In terms of victories and accolades, their records can compete with anyone’s.”

Curry expressed interest in clinically securing his third regular-season MVP title. In doing so, he would join an exclusive group of NBA legends who have won the regular-season MVP award more than twice. This includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six times), Bill Russell (five times), Michael Jordan (five times), Wilt Chamberlain (four times), LeBron James (four times), Moses Malone (three times), Larry Bird (three times) and Magic Johnson (three times).

Curry said, “I would absolutely enjoy that. However, I’m already committed to that mission, so it’s not as if there’s been any change since the beginning.”

It appears almost certain that Curry will establish the record for the most career 3-pointers. Having overtaken Reggie Miller (2,560) last season to secure second place, Curry only needs to net 132 more 3-pointers to outshine Ray Allen (2,973). Last season, Curry managed to make 337 3-pointers.

“Once I’m nearer, I’ll give it more thought,” said Curry. “I realize I still have a long way to go. But it’s certainly on my mind.”

Curry’s potential to secure his fourth NBA championship takes precedence over other developments. Even though the Warriors have failed to reach the playoffs for two seasons in a row, Curry didn’t hesitate to sign a four-year extension worth $215.4 million. This deal will keep him with the Warriors until the end of the 2025-26 season.

“Everyone strives to be in an ideal scenario every year,” stated Curry. “You take all possible measures, provide your insights, and make your voice heard when needed. But we have managed to retain our core group.”

In addition to his rapport with Thompson, Green and Iguodala, Curry also voiced his trust in their experienced players like Andrew Wiggins and Damion Lee, as well as their younger talent such as Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga. Not to mention their latest free-agent acquisitions, Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica. Additionally, Curry expressed relief over Wiggins’ decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19 after initially declining, a move which guarantees his availability for home games in compliance with San Francisco’s regulations mandating vaccinations at large indoor events.

“Thankfully, he made that decision,” said Curry. “This means he’s available now. I know he’s still feeling uneasy about it. However, it was crucial for him to have all the necessary information to comprehend the implications and be aware of them. You’re free to make your own choices. But hopefully, you’ve opted to be available because we need you.”

Kerr predicts a great year for Curry, due to his talent and the improved health of the Warriors’ new and familiar members. However, it’s uncertain if this will provide the Warriors with sufficient momentum to compete for an NBA title.

Curry stated, “It’s evident – for this year and the next. This is the moment to return to the standard we anticipate. Things will appear different, that’s something we all understand. We just need to accept it.”

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How Curry bounced back against the Clippers

Consequently, Curry accepted his relative challenges during the Warriors’ season opener against the Lakers. His teammates and coaches promptly observed how it sparked him to make adjustments.

“Today, he didn’t miss a single shot during the shootaround,” said Green. “You could sense that it was bound to happen. Even if he had missed all his shots at the shootaround, I would have still foreseen it coming.”

Green developed clairvoyant abilities. Curry successfully made his initial 10 attempts. In addition, he matched his career high in first quarter points, reaching 25. This occasion signified the 35th time in his career where he scored 20 points in a quarter.

“After a poor shooting night, he’s always bouncing back. He had it coming,” said Kerr.

It seemed inevitable that Curry would go on a shooting streak again after missing his next seven shots.

Curry successfully scored three out of his four attempts in the last quarter. As the Warriors were behind by two points with just 1:54 on the clock, Green passed the ball to Curry who was 31 feet away from the basket. Curry then chucked the ball towards the hoop and successfully scored, providing the Warriors with a slim 108-107 advantage.

A couple of possessions later, Curry seized the rebound from a failed shot and threw the ball to Lee at center court. Lee swiftly tossed the ball back to Curry, who had swiftly moved behind the 3-point line. Curry then took a shot and nailed a 26-footer, extending the Warriors’ lead to 111-109 with just 57.7 seconds remaining.

Green said, “For most of them, it’s all about the money. Even for those where I question ‘What on earth?’, I still somehow think it’s about the money. I often wonder, ‘Why is he taking that shot?’ Yet, I anticipate all of them to go in, despite how absurd some of the shots he chooses to take are. I expect some of them to go in because he consistently makes those outlandish shots. This is what he has done throughout his career. It’s the reason for his success, his greatness. It’s why he is one of the top players in the league and one of the best to ever play the game. He’s a taker and maker of tough shots.”

It’s unsurprising that Kerr stated, “I want him to shoot every time.” For Curry, simply making a shot isn’t enough anymore. As evidenced in his offseason training, Curry has pushed himself to achieve pinpoint accuracy in his shooting, enabling him to successfully execute shots in games that are impossible for others.

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Mark Medina is a senior writer/analyst for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

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