If you check rap superstar Drake's editor's note on his mega-hit 2018 album Scorpion, it goes a little something like this:
I HATE WHEN DRAKE RAPS.
DRAKE SINGS TOO MUCH.
DRAKE IS A POP ARTIST.
DRAKE DOESN’T EVEN WRITE HIS OWN SONGS.
DRAKE TOOK AN L.
DRAKE DIDN’T START FROM THE BOTTOM.
DRAKE IS FINISHED.
I LIKE DRAKE'S OLDER STUFF
DRAKE MAKES MUSIC FOR GIRLS.
DRAKE THINKS HE’S JAMAICAN.
DRAKE IS AN ACTOR.
DRAKE CHANGED.
ANYBODY ELSE > DRAKE.
…YEAH YEAH WE KNOW.
For the Golden State Warriors and especially Stephen Curry, they could easily make their own type of list.
Golden State blew a 3-1 lead.
Golden State needed Kevin Durant'
Golden State is weak.
I wish the old Steph Curry was here.
Steph Curry can't play on Kevin Durant's level.
The Warriors needed four All-Stars to beat LeBron James.
All other dynasties> The Warriors.
After taking care of the Houston Rockets in a thrilling Game 6 matchup this past Friday, Curry, and the Warriors can collectively say, “Yeah, Yeah, WE know”, too.
Stephen Curry has been sort of an enigma in the 2019 NBA Playoffs. It's well accepted that the Warriors offense do not flourish without the involvement of Curry. But Kevin Durant pre-injury has widely been considered as the best NBA player this postseason. Curry, a two-time MVP in his own right, has been inconsistent.
While the Warriors offensive system is still intact, it could be argued that Durant's play as of late is reminiscent of the last two years of LeBron James in Miami. Slowly but surely, James began to separate himself even further from the Big Three and Erik Spoelstra's offensive philosophy. Essentially, James became so good that it felt that Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were just the help.
Obviously, Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green could never be considered of such language. However, Steph Curry and Thompson's struggles in the first two rounds made them force their games, instead of letting the game come to them.
But when Kevin Durant went down in the third quarter of Game 5, it was like something changed. The Warriors core four (Curry, Thompson, Green, Andre Iguodala) realized that they could play with more freedom now. Kevin Durant's game is shaped to accommodate the Warriors offense.
But let's be real: Durant is a walking bucket. It would be a crime to not let someone with the talents of Durant not have the freedom to try to score. With his injury uncertain, the Warriors had the moment to get back to the crucible of their attack: flow. Curry scored 16 points on 5-9 shooting, 2-3 from three post-Durant injury in Game 5. 33 points on 9-15 in the second half in Game 6.
But those chain of events is what makes Curry's performance Friday night so monumental. This was Curry's time to remind us that he still was a special player and elite. While Durant is still critical in this year's title run, Curry told us he can still do without. The Warriors system can take down anybody when they all click. Curry, most importantly, can still break the backs of teams with his improv three-point shooting. To sum it up: Curry/The Warriors want Durant, but don't need him.
The Warriors mid-to-late dominance of the 2010s is definitely 30 for 30 worthy. They built a dynasty the unconventional way, and their style of play changed the game of basketball. The addition of Durant has put an asterisk next to their 2017, 2018 NBA titles, as NBA fans have had a hard time accepting the Warriors superteam when in their eyes, they didn't need more talent.
But for one night, in a high-pressure game with his playoff legacy already in shambles, Curry delivered. Big. It was a performance that, outside of the three titles won, will define the Kerr era.
It's a reminder that even with Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, the Warriors system is designed and run through one person.
Steph Curry.
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