There are few players in sports who have the ability to capture a nation’s attention every time they step onto the playing field.
At one point, that was Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa as they chased Roger Maris’ home run record. And then more recently, playoff LeBron James in the NBA and Patrick Mahomes in the NFL are always must-see TV.
But right now, Golden State Warriors’ star Stephen Curry is not only the greatest shooter on the planet, but he’s currently the most exciting player in American professional sports.
On NBA’s opening night last Tuesday, Curry struggled shooting the ball, finishing 5-of-21 from the field as the Warriors narrowly beat the Los Angeles Lakers. Nonetheless, he recorded his first regular season triple-double since his MVP season in 2015-16. He didn’t have to erupt for 62 points like he did last year against the Portland Trail Blazers. It was the mere possibility that he might have one of those “Curry explosions” that brings you in.
Two nights later, the Charlotte native caught fire like he has so many times throughout his career, scoring 25 points in the first quarter alone without missing any of his nine shots. He scored around the rim and drained contested 3-pointers. On the night, he finished with 45 points, nailing two dagger 3-pointers in the final minutes as the Warriors took down the Los Angeles Clippers.
Curry doesn’t have to play all 48 minutes to be a factor, either. Last season, the MVP finalist averaged a little more than 34 minutes, ranking No. 22 in the league. It was also the first time that Curry played an entire season without another scoring star alongside him.
First, it was Monta Ellis early in Curry’s career, then it became current backcourt mate Klay Thompson, and for three years, Kevin Durant. Although Thompson and Durant made the Warriors and Curry more explosive, fans rarely got the opportunity to see what Curry could do by himself.
We got the chance to see this version of Curry last year following Thompson’s injury and he didn’t disappoint. He averaged career-highs in points and rebounds and single-handedly led the Warriors into the play-in games.
At one point in April, the baby-faced assassin posted 11 consecutive games with more than 30 points.
At age 33, the window for Curry’s greatness is limited and even Thompson’s lengthy injury is proof that we can’t take either of the splash brothers for granted.
Now, with the Warriors facing probably the easiest 10-game stretch of their regular season schedule, Curry is primed to post video game-like numbers.
Don’t wait for it to be over. You’re watching something special.
Max Baker can be reached at max@chathamnr.com and @maxbaker_15.