Stephen Curry is seemingly still in the prime of his career 8 years after he broke out as an MVP winner in the 2014-15 season. Many expected a small point guard like Curry, who relies on movement to get open shots to start declining, but it seems Curry has just been getting better.
His number in the 2022-23 season rivals the numbers he put up in his unanimous MVP season in 2015-16. While the league is far more competitive now, Curry has shown why he is still among the top 5 players in the NBA, if not the best.
the secret behind this has been Curry’s focus on his health. Remembering his father’s late-career physical struggles, Steph started working in 2011 to ensure that doesn’t happen given his history of ankle injuries. His trainer, Brandon Payne, revealed that Curry is faster and more vital now than when he was 23 years old.
Steph Curry’s peak was supposed to be past him. His best days were supposed to be yesteryear.
Instead, 2022 became the year he would no longer be denied. @ThompsonScribe on our NBA Person of the Year: https://t.co/fGmyhe1WbF pic.twitter.com/NwFCFczbf3
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) December 20, 2022
So he and Payne started preparing for the day he lost a step. The plan was to make him so quick with his processing and so efficient with his movement, it would limit the effect of, maybe even neutralize, any physical decline. The neurocognitive work, the elite conditioning, the flexibility training, are designed to make him think faster and make more accurate decisions. They’ve been at it for over a decade.
“I wasn’t thinking that at 34, he’ll still be getting faster,” Payne said. “Nobody would have ever thought even back then that when he’s 35, he’s gonna be stronger and moving faster and better than he moved when he was 23, 24. It’s kind of crazy.” (h/t The Athletic)
Curry has taken a cue from LeBron James and seen how preparing your body for the inevitable physical decline athletes hit in their 30s is beneficial. Curry has increased his peak performance window and has given Warriors fans around the world hope about their dynasty lasting even longer.
Is This The Best Version Of Stephen Curry We’ve Ever Seen?
It is hard to say that a player is better now than when they won a unanimous MVP but that might hold true for Curry.
His numbers in 2015-16 were 30.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds on 66.9 TS%. Now, he is averaging 30.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.6 rebounds on 66.8 TS%. The team is objectively performing worse, but Curry is performing at the highest defensive level we’ve ever seen him.
Curry is generating a reputation as one of the best point guard rebounders in the league while also working on his oft-criticized playmaking to help the other Warriors also get involved in a game. With the veteran mind that he has, Curry has taken his game to a new level. It’s a shame the Warriors are as bad as they have been because Curry could’ve been an MVP candidate again if the team was doing better.
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