Storyline: How important is Steph Curry to the Warriors? He’s REALLY important.
No doubt Stephen Curry is essential to Golden State’s success. But is he the deciding factor in the Warriors’ championship quest?
That question is almost too easy to answer. As the League’s MVP it’s on Curry to lead the Dubs to victory.
That conclusion rings try when you look at Curry’s Playoff stats. In 14 postseason wins Curry has put up MVP-level numbers: averaging just over 30 points a game, 7 assists, and a pair of steals. But the picture changes when you look at Curry’s stats in five Warriors’ loses.
Curry is playing more minutes because the Warriors can’t can afford to sit him late in games. But extra minutes don’t translate into greater productivity. In losses, Curry is averaging 22 points, 5 assists, and less than a steal a game. His shooting percentage also drops by 12 percentage points–from 48% in wins to 36% in defeats.
That’s not to say that Warriors can’t win if Curry has a bad night. It’s just that the Warriors have a tougher time winning when Steph isn’t on his A-Game.
Curry decides the Warriors fate more than anybody or anything. And he can go either way: torch or struggle.
If Curry can produce 30-points-a-game with near-50% shooting, Golden State should bring home the gold. Otherwise….
