While many have marveled at his 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game during the Western Conference Finals all while shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from long distance — in the eyes of those who know Stephen Curry‘s game in-and-out, he has impressed more with his all-around game than just his torrid offensive firepower.
Ron Adams, known as the defensive coordinator and the mastermind behind the Golden State Warriors‘ switch-happy defense, was utterly complimentary of his All-Star point guard, despite being a rather quiet person behind the scenes.
“This is one person’s opinion: I think his all-around game during this playoff time period has been the best I’ve seen in the three years I’ve been here,” Adams said of Curry, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. “I like where he is as a basketball player. Offensively, defensively, rebounding the ball, staying focused. And really putting a lot of energy into both sides of the ball.”
Curry has gone the entire postseason injury free, allowing him to gain consistency not only in his offensive game, but his all-around defensive prowess — rebounding the ball, pushing the break, and using his wingspan to ensnare steals around passing lanes — recording a playoff-high six steals against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3.
If those numbers seem like just a good day, Curry's consistency is what has garnered praise from his coaches — as he has accumulated a plus-200 plus/minus rating — the best of any player in this year's playoffs, doing so in only 12 postseason games.
“I’ve always felt that we win when he is focused on both sides of the ball,” Adams said of Curry.
The Davidson standout might not have the collective numbers he had during his MVP seasons, but he's surely saved the best for last, leading the way on offense and giving Golden State reliability at the defensive end to break off rampant leads through stretches of the game.
“Coach Ron Adams challenged me going into the playoffs to really focus on just energy and the little things that I can do to impact the game on that end,” Curry said after his six-steal effort in Game 3. “You know, staying in front of my guy. Playing great defense off the ball so I can be in the right spots to help…
“Usually, when I have a huge presence on that end of the floor, good things happen on the opposite end because I can help rebound, I can push on transition off steals and whatever the case may be, and put pressure on that transition defense.”
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