Curry’s play, Kerr’s words shine for Warriors

What a magnificent performance by Golden State Warriors’ guard, Steph Curry, with 46 points. 

What a perfect observation about Steph’s brilliance from the Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr: “The sun in our solar system.” 

Curry’s baskets and Kerr’s words came Wednesday night when the Warriors ended two streaks—one of their own, six straight road losses; one of the San Antonio Spurs, who had been unbeaten at home, with a 125-120 victory.

A league schedule dictated as much by finance as airline schedules allows little time for contemplation. The same teams, the Warriors and Spurs, play again Friday night in the same place, San Antonio.

What happened even a few hours in the past quickly becomes history, although for the Warriors in this season of battling age as well as opponents, the win is the best kind of history.

We’re told great players, no matter how old and battered, somehow find a way. Which the 37-year-old Curry and long-time teammate, Draymond Green, 35, definitely did. Steph erupting for 29 points in the 2nd half. Green holding Victor Wembanyama, 7-foot-5, who is nearly twelve inches taller, scoreless for long stretches. 

If this is the last hurrah for the Warriors dynasty, four championships starting in 2015, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be one without excitement.

Especially with Curry still able to make shots from long range, which, after missing a couple of games because of illness, he certainly was able to do.

“He’s just such an incredible player and teammate, and it’s great to see him back out there,”  said Kerr.

As you are aware, Kerr was once a teammate of Michael Jordan, who broke scoring records in his years on the Chicago Bulls in the 1980s and gained prominence as arguably the NBA’s best player ever.

Because of time, matchups, and other factors, comparisons are difficult if not silly. Still, what Curry has accomplished in his 17 seasons has elevated him into a status of players such as Jordan, Elgin Baylor, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and the other superstars. That description, by the way, was coined in the early 1960s when the NBA was still seeking recognition and approval. Even to play in the NBA, you had to be a star. Thus, the very best players were “superstars.”

No matter what you choose to call him, there’s no doubt Curry, the all-time leader in 3-point field goals, is special. And as we know it is remarkably accurate on long-range jumpers. The 46 points he scored Wednesday in 33 minutes was the 73rd time Curry has reached 40 in his career and the 43rd time since he turned 30.   

Curry was the 7th pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Of those selected ahead of him, only James Harden, now with the Clippers, remains in the NBA. 

Maybe you never know what you’ll get, but what the Warriors know is who they got, someone accurate, magnificent, and special.