Stephen Curry, obviously, is best known for his exploits from beyond the arc. The Golden State Warriors superstar is the greatest three-point shooter of all time, and already owns several long-range shooting records to prove it.
But what makes him much, much more than just a shooter, at least in part, is elite finishing ability around the rim, an aspect of his game that was lacking during his first few years in the league. Ever since Curry gained a clean bill of health from a series of ankle injuries that briefly called his longevity into question, he's been one of the best perimeter finishers in the NBA. To wit, Curry has converted a higher percentage of his shots within three feet of the basket than Kyrie Irving, generally considered the league's most proficient finisher among guards, every season dating back to the Boston Celtics star's rookie year.
Clearly, Curry's ability around the basket is wildly underrated. Even those who know just how good he is around the rim, though, were no doubt surprised to see him make this ridiculous fading finger roll early in Game of the Western Conference Finals.
Steph hesitates and flips it up off the window… plus the foul! #NBAPlayoffs #StrengthInNumbers 20#RipCity 16
📺: @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/r9Hxhd8TGZ
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2019
And-1, too.
Curry and the Warriors come into Monday's action leading the Portland Trail Blazers 3-0. With a victory in Game 4, they'll advance to the NBA Finals for an unprecedented fifth consecutive season – and have ample to time rest before facing the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.