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.

As the NBA’s undisputed greatest shooter of all time, Curry frequently took shots with the confidence of knowing they would land in the basket. More often than not, he was correct.

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.

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

Why?

“Confidence is earned through the work you put in,” said Curry. “You always believe the next shot will go in.”

Curry’s efforts this past offseason may appear similar to previous ones, with him taking numerous shots. However, a new aspect of his training routine, as explained to NBA.com by Curry and his trainer Brandon Payne last summer, has been instrumental. This new regimen has contributed to Curry’s rise to the third position for the most 45-point games for a player who is at least 33 years old (six). He is surpassed only by Michael Jordan (11) and Bernard King (eight).

“Simply making shots in workouts doesn’t suffice anymore,” Payne informed NBA.com. “We’ve determined that he regularly succeeds at making numerous shots during workouts. Therefore, we’ve implemented technology to enhance precision,” he added.

After breaking multiple scoring records and rising to second place in the NBA’s all-time list for the most 3-pointers (2,842), Curry utilized shot-tracking technology. This technology revealed that not all of his successful baskets are of equal value.

Every time Curry took a shot, the technology monitored the trajectory, arc, and depth of the ball into the rim. Curry and Payne regarded any shot that did not go through the center of the rim as a miss. They applied the same criteria when Curry was shooting on the move, a technique he utilized to simulate shooting against an aggressive defender.

Curry explained to NBA.com that the mental challenge was striving for perfection. He described a scenario where if he made 10 shots outside of a specific drill window, he would have to repeat the drill. The pressure to succeed quickly turned the exercise into a conditioning drill, demanding his focus and concentration. Failure to excel immediately meant he could potentially spend the entire day tired and unable to conquer the drill. The situation was akin to the pressures of a real game.

Curry admitted that he didn’t always excel at the drill. Consequently, Payne was left with a difficult role. “I’m tasked with telling the greatest shooter in history that his performance isn’t up to par,” Payne frequently reminded himself, questioning, “Should I really be saying this to Stephen Curry?”

In a specific workout, Payne concluded that he needed to. Curry was engaged in a session that required him to switch between making mid-range jumpers and 3-point shots. The rule was, he could only change spots if his last shot was successful. After a few consecutive misses kept Curry in the same place, Payne commented, “We’d be finishing up right now if you’d just follow through strongly at the peak of your shot.”

Curry gave both a smirk and an irritated look, before sinking 20 shots in a row to conclude the practice session. This kind of interaction is not uncommon when Curry finishes offseason and regular-season training sessions with Warriors assistant coach Bruce Fraser. In Curry’s pre-game warm-up, Fraser mimicked a tough defender aiming to restrict Curry’s movement beyond the perimeter.

“Those individuals understand how to ignite that competitive spirit,” said Curry. “Unless you’re engaging in casual games, summers can often feel lengthy. The training sessions can become somewhat repetitive if you permit it. So they strive to prevent that from happening.”

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

Warriors coach Steve Kerr found it amusing when Curry referred to his first regular-season game as “trash”, despite achieving a triple-double with 21 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Kerr stated, “He consistently maintains high expectations for himself, which is what motivates him daily. He’s a true game scholar and understands his role within it. Despite receiving a minimal scholarship after high school, he’s achieved a unique blend of confidence and humility, acquired through his experiences and the efforts he’s made to get here. This results in an impressive mix of star performance on the court and relatability with his teammates. It’s an ideal characteristic for your top player to possess.”

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How Curry’s high standards could fuel another productive season

In recent years, Curry has had a wealth of motivation to draw from.

Having won three NBA championships and two Kia MVP awards from five Finals appearances, Curry found himself at a career crossroads over the last two seasons. The Warriors lost a crucial player to free agency (Kevin Durant), another to injury (Klay Thompson), and traded a key veteran (Andre Iguodala) the summer before. In the 2019-20 season, due to a fractured left hand, Curry only participated in five games, leading to the Warriors finishing with the NBA’s poorest record (15-50).

In the previous season, Curry reestablished himself as an MVP contender by achieving a higher scoring average (32) and nearly the same shooting percentage (48.2%) as his MVP-winning seasons in 2014-15 (23.8 points on 48.7% shooting) and 2015-16 (30.1 points on 50.4% shooting). However, the Warriors, with an inexperienced roster that included a season-long injury to Curry’s All-Star teammate (Thompson) and inconsistent development from their No. 2 draft pick (James Wiseman), only reached the NBA’s Play-In Tournament, where they lost their two play-in matches.

Even though Curry is highly competitive, he chose not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, with the goal of securing his first gold medal. His decision was influenced by a desire to avoid injuries, having recently recovered from a tailbone contusion at the end of the previous season. He was also worried about exhaustion after finishing a condensed 72-game season. In addition, he prioritized spending time with his family, something that would have been difficult due to the strict COVID-19 protocols in Tokyo.

Curry stated, “I harbor no regrets about that. I would have cherished being part of that team. We’ll see what transpires in 2024.”

Rather than focusing on long-term goals, Curry concentrated more on short-term ones. He trained with Payne from June to September, approximately five days a week for three-hour sessions. These sessions occasionally involved workouts with Michael Porter Jr., a forward for the Denver Nuggets, who was also trained by Payne.

“Both guys hardly miss,” commented Payne. “It’s almost startling if the ball touches the rim. They each exhibit impressive control over the basketball and harbor a profound desire to learn, refine, and improve.”

Curry said he gained two to three pounds of muscle, doing so for several reasons during the 2021 offseason. His goal was to boost his health resilience, having spent his early career managing ankle injuries. Furthermore, Curry wanted to enhance his capacity to withstand contact from defenders, whether he was shooting from the perimeter or driving to the basket.

“The ability to do everything I want is still with me,” said Curry, 33. “I aim to sustain this for many more years.”

Curry felt validated when he had the opportunity to interview Jordan at the Ryder Cup. He humorously claimed to have interrogated Jordan about his previous comments on the Today show two years prior, where Jordan had suggested that Curry wasn’t a Hall of Famer. “I needed to lighten the mood a bit,” Curry said. However, he actually discussed something more significant than this perceived insult.

“Competitive spirit is clearly still present,” stated Curry. “Our passion for this game surpasses everything else. His passion is so immense that it has spilt over into golf. He possesses a competitive zeal that necessitated an outlet. That’s significant.”

Curry is grateful that he can still channel his competitiveness both on the golf course and the basketball court.

Curry voiced his appreciation for being included in the NBA’s Top 75 Anniversary Team, while also advocating for the inclusion of Thompson and Green.

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

— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2021

“It’s incredible to be included on that list, particularly during my active career,” said Curry. “It speaks volumes about the effort you’ve invested in the game and what I believe I still have to offer. Clearly, those two guys merit their spots on that list. In terms of victories and accolades, their records are as impressive as anyone’s.”

Curry expressed interest in securing his third regular-season MVP in his career. Achieving this would place him in the esteemed company of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Bill Russell (five), Michael Jordan (five), Wilt Chamberlain (four), LeBron James (four), Moses Malone (three), Larry Bird (three) and Magic Johnson (three), who are the only ones to have won the NBA’s regular-season MVP award more than twice.

“I would absolutely enjoy that. However, the requirements for that are aligned with the mission I am already pursuing,” said Curry. “So, it’s not as if there’s been any change since the beginning.”

At least it appears certain that Curry is set to break the record for most career 3-pointers. Having overtaken Reggie Miller (2,560) last season to secure second place, Curry is just 132 3-pointers away from surpassing Ray Allen’s record of 2,973. Last season, Curry made 337 3-pointers.

“When I get closer, I’ll give it more thought,” said Curry. “I’m aware that I still have a long way to go. However, it’s definitely something I’m keeping an eye on.”

Curry’s potential to secure his fourth NBA championship is a significant development on his horizon. Even though the Warriors have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons, Curry didn’t hesitate to sign a four-year, $215.4 million extension. This deal keeps him with the Warriors until the 2025-26 season.

“Everyone yearns to be in an ideal situation annually,” said Curry. “You do everything possible. You provide your feedback. You make your voice heard when needed. However, we have regained our core.”

Curry expressed trust in his familiar teammates Thompson, Green, and Iguodala, as well as in the Warriors’ veterans, Wiggins and Lee. He also showed confidence in the team’s younger players, Wiseman and Kuminga, and recent additions Porter Jr. and Bjelica. Furthermore, he was relieved that Wiggins decided to get the COVID-19 vaccine after initially declining, complying with San Francisco’s mandate for vaccination at large indoor events and ensuring his availability for home games.

“Thankfully, he made that decision,” said Curry. “It ensures his availability. Although I’m aware he’s still uneasy about it, it was essential that he was rightly informed about the consequences and fully understood them. Ultimately, you’re free to make your own choices. However, hopefully, your choice will be to be available since we need you.”

Kerr anticipates that Curry will have an outstanding year thanks to his talent and the improved health of his Warriors’ teammates. They’ve added new members and welcomed back familiar faces. But the question remains, will this be enough for the Warriors to contend for an NBA championship?

“Clearly, this and next year are the time to return to our expected level,” said Curry. “Things will look different, we’re all aware of that. We just need to accept and embrace it.”

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How Curry bounced back against the Clippers

Therefore, Curry acknowledged his relative struggles during the Warriors’ season opener against the Lakers. His teammates and coaches quickly observed how it motivated him to make adjustments.

“Today in the shootaround, he didn’t miss a single shot,” said Green. “I kind of anticipated this. Even if he had missed all his shots at the shootaround, I would have still predicted this.”

Green developed clairvoyant abilities. Curry hit his initial 10 attempts. Additionally, he matched his career-best in first-quarter points with 25, marking his 35th time achieving a 20-point quarter in his career.

“Kerr stated, “He deserved it. Whenever he has a bad shooting night, he always rebounds.”

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

Curry successfully landed three out of his four shots in the final quarter. When the Warriors were two points behind with 1:54 left on the clock, Green passed the ball to Curry who was 31 feet away. Curry then flung the ball towards the hoop and made the shot, providing the Warriors with a 108-107 advantage.

Curry seized a rebound off a missed shot two possessions later, and hurled the ball to Lee at center court. Lee rapidly returned the ball to Curry, who had rapidly moved behind the 3-point line. Curry then launched and successfully scored a 26-foot shot, providing the Warriors a 111-109 lead with just 57.7 seconds remaining.

“Most of them are money shots. Even with some shots that have me wondering, ‘What on earth?’, I still consider them potential scores,” said Green. “You keep asking yourself, ‘Why is he taking that shot?’ Yet, I anticipate all of them to make it, no matter how absurd some of his choices seem. You expect some of them to score because he has a history of making such audacious shots. That’s been his playing style throughout his career. That’s how he’s established his reputation. That’s why he’s exceptional. That’s why he’s one of the premier players in this league and one of the best players in the history of the sport. He’s a master at taking tough shots and making them.”

It is not surprising Kerr stated, “I want him to shoot every time.” For Curry, merely making a shot is no longer sufficient. As demonstrated during his offseason training, he has pushed himself to shoot with exceptional accuracy, enabling him to take and successfully execute shots in games that are beyond anyone else’s capabilities.

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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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