Forget about becoming the first ever unanimous MVP in NBA history. Put aside the absurdly impressive shooting splits. 400 3-pointers in a season is nothing compared to what Steph Curry accomplished last night. Steph Curry has somehow - in just two incredible seasons - managed to make people believe that he's incapable of playing poor basketball unless he has a physical ailment. He stepped out on the floor showing no signs of injury, shot an underwhelming 2-10 from behind the arc, and the immediate reaction of some was that he needs to get better on the trainer's table instead of getting better on the hardwood? Having the most efficient season of any perimeter player of all time pales in comparison to convincing a growing percentage of the public that you can't possibly fail when healthy. Now, do I think that his knee is 100% healthy? No. Do I think the knot on his elbow vanished into thin air without having any discernible effect on his shooting stroke? Again, no. That being said, he's not injured. He might be banged up - like almost every oft-used player is during this time of year - but he's not hurt. The possibility that people seem to lend no credence to is that he might just be demoralized. I know we have come to think of Steph Curry as some unflappable human being, but tell me the last time he has been challenged to this extent in this big of a spot? Can you recall a time he was staring in the face of a Russell Westbrook with his season on the line? It certainly wasn't when he faced off against Jason Terry is last year's Western Conference Finals. In fact, it's easy to forget since the Warriors won the title, but Steph Curry - at times - struggled mightily against the likes of Matthew Dellavadova in last year's NBA finals. That doesn't mean I think he's not a championship level player. It just means that I think he can become overwhelmed, and nothing will overwhelm you quite like having your primary defender go off for 30 points and a triple double. Steph Curry has the ability to turn it all around, and - as unlikely as it seems - it's not out of the question that the Warriors win three straight. However, let's to act like Westbrook's dominance isn't effecting the person that is not only expected to match it, but surpass it.
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