Steph Curry created 33 straight points in the 4th quarter!

Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 40 points in the 4th quarter, but he broke the Cleveland defense without passing. This video details Curry's incredible 4th quarter on November 18, 2022 against Cleveland, where he was able to create up open shot after open shot for his teammates with his gravity while the Cavalier defense tried to stop him.
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Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
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Website: www.backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by csus (instrumental)
#ThinkingBasketball

[@pommesdeterrevapeur]

This fourth quarter was truly a masterclass about Curry's gravity on the floor

[@phil6731]

How we needed Steph to beat a team that didn't have all their players is beyond me. Glad we were able to cope without Steph, Dray and Otto yesterday though. It makes me realise the team probably likes to rely on Stephs ability to switch on more than they need to.

[@cyxw1234]

Absolutely Amazingggggg!! This is Golden!! 🏀🏀🏀🔥🔥🔥

[@karunshakya3574]

@@phil6731 Thompson when back should reduce the load.. 100% fit klay..

[@phil6731]

@Imafraid Jumitebeeinnagang like I said it was the Cavs and their star players were injured 😐 if you don't understand there's nothing else I can say to you

[@jamiethomson8456]

Just happy to give up open layups then let him touch the ball. It’s a catch 22. Let guys like JTA or Lee get confidence or let Steph hit 3s and it pumps the whole team up. This team has more depth then any of the Post 2016 teams and going to be scary if they stay healthy.

[@Caesarsinclairjr17]

We need more videos like this, breakdowns of specific games during the season. The quality is amazing

[@lukaslambs5780]

So true!!!!

[@xavierjdesigns]

100%

[@matthieusaade3616]

Do you want quality or quantity? Can't have both , dude is only human

[@BonesWasTaken11]

@@matthieusaade3616 quality doesn't always need a lot of time, he made this video quickly but it was still great, sure it doesn't have any animation and graphics, but that's not why i watch him.

[@tobiasdwumaah1098]

I agree, I was watching the game and couldnt believe or understand how Steph Curry went God mode. This breakdown was perfect !

[@jasonmorden2226]

That's exactly it, he creates points for his teammates without getting assists. One of the best to ever play the game . . .

[@MrMathsimon]

Westbrook disapproves this. No triple double 😂😂😂😂

[@emiliodelcanto4179]

A big part of draymond´s assists are thanks of previous pass of steph that allow him to get easier numbers.

[@emmanuelmoses7249]

@@emiliodelcanto4179 Definitely. Curry deserves like 3/4 of Draymond's assists lol

[@hoodvines2720]

@@emmanuelmoses7249 in the 2019-2020 season dray averaged 6.5 apg without Steph, y’all don’t watch ball 🤷🏾

[@Anthonydu01630]

@@hoodvines2720 Right Draymond is an elite playmaker + he played all his career with Steph so they have a unique chemistry. When Westbrook or Harden average 11 assists like last seasons nobody will tell you well its because they play with Beal or KD & Kyrie … They are just elite playmakers.

[@restivepanda]

This stuff is so difficult to recognize in real-time due to how fast the game moves, but it's like you see it all in slow motion. Great work, Ben

[@TheTariqibnziyad]

Now imagine the average opposing player who doesn't have time to understand anything before he sees a 3 swished...Curry is so demoralizing even CP3 and other superstars are salty about him

[@andongskee]

Agree

[@CheB4900]

This feels like the difference between watch the game and watching tape

[@rhyno8644]

🤔 Do you think when the league commissioner decided to make fouls virtually impossible against Magic Johnson Larry Bird Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant he understood that one day all you would have is a show that doesn't even look real. The teams highest scorers would actually make their teams worse not better. Offenses would lose all sense of identity. Merchandising would become the only culture.

[@BenjaminFranklinFF1706]

@@TheTariqibnziyad Curry shot terrible in those rockets series when matched up against CP3 lol

[@sanjuebanks6280]

It’s literally insane how scared teams are of curry’s threes and curry in general. If someone says that curry’s gravity isn’t real show them this video

[@newrecruit100]

If somebody still at this point doesn’t think it’s real then they don’t know basketball and haven’t for a while.

[@cyberbron2077]

Gravity isn't real, it's just a social construct.

[@brunoalc5422]

They are right to be scared, dude can give you buckets any night if you leave him open

[@seriustraco]

Until he gets to the playoffs, that's when he chokes

[@emelem6858]

@@seriustraco >playoff choker >scores 27 ppg on 61 TS% in the playoffs his whole career >is the offensive engine for the best playoff team of all time

[@willm8474]

Stephen Curry got mvp chants in Cleveland, that’s one thing i never expected

[@Shemzinho]

The greatest offensive player ever. I’ve never seen a player bend a defense to this degree it’s fucking abnormal

[@razkable]

mj did it too but back then the rules were different where you could back up a foe for 10 seconds and put 4 guys on one side as mj would isolate on the other....he made a game sometimes look really one on one lol...multiple plays a game...in the 80's especially...like in 1988...mj just said get out my way...a lot..and 4 guys would literally cross halfcourt and never go on one side...they stayed glued to the out of bounds and three point line on one side not cutting to the rim even..all in the corner and wing...while mj played one on one...it was funny

[@mbvglider]

@@razkable True. Old heads like to talk about how defenses were allowed to be more physical back in the day, and that’s true, but I feel like being unable to play zone also put defenses at a huge disadvantage. Given that they used to start Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman, and Luc Longley, modern defenses would be able to go triangle and two until they had to put in more scorers like Steve Kerr and Toni Kukoc, but then Bulls would not be the same defensively.

[@asdasdbinaltiapayansa24ora94]

Ashley Paul off hand check allow curry to dominate like wade did against detroit

[@echoalpha9157]

The rules for defense back in the golden era allowed defenses to be more physical so the question would be how sharp Steph would be under such pressure. But I agree in the new era of basketball he is one of the greatest offensive player.

[@OGARYTV]

Handles and screens were always in the game@@echoalpha9157

[@MrHotSpice100]

That one possession where he creates 2 open layups for his team mates then is just like ‘Fine I’ll do it myself’ and creates a 3 is just beautiful 😍

[@AndYouAre]

Yeah, that was crazy! Never seen anything like it

[@reidb6327]

Yep

[@nothingtoseehere96]

Typically, no modern day superstar runs enough to have that many offensive opportunities. Traditional Spurs offense kinda did it a bit with a lot of ball movement, but it wasn't as precise, and occasionally some teams do it a few times in the playoffs. I still remember Lebron's Lakers pulling off some extremely high-level offense for a half, but it deteriorated after that and it essentially never came back the rest of the season. As a Kawhi fan who used to live in the Bay Area, I really appreciate Steph as a player.

[@cl_0ud470]

@@nothingtoseehere96 yeah, the crazy thing is curry creates this by himself before the ball even moves from the guy bringing it up the court

[@mrtspence]

Steph just pulled out the gun and turned on the distortion field and there was suddenly no chance for the Cavs. Absolutely ridiculous.

[@holymsophy]

Cleveland came to play basketball, they didn't know they signed up for that Extreme Cardio spin cycle with the chef. 😂😂😂

[@holymsophy]

@@jbarshorts so, if they were at full strength, would that have changed anything? 🤔🤔

[@elliotbaker5416]

@@jbarshorts 3 key defensive players, none of whom would be guarding Curry and none of whom have shown they’re capable of not getting sucked in to steph’s gravity

[@wavy9850]

I was at the game last night and watching that man in person was insane. Never seen someone so fast with the ball yet so efficient. Even lebron doesn’t effect the game this much. Curry had everyone in the arena mad cause everytime he touched the ball u knew he was about to make a play. What a legend.

[@ON-od3if]

guess you never seen prime lebron during his early cavs days

[@brianabalos4878]

@@ON-od3if No. He doesn't need to. It's the same moves that LeBron did as he is doing right now.

[@brunster5950]

Mass Affect is my favorite game ever.

[@CSDonohue11]

Steph is a Top 3 GOAT Status F what the haters say

[@jhobetcometa2453]

@@ON-od3if no changes lbj plays today no moves at all turn overs maybe haha

[@RIPJimmyA7X]

This 4th quarter actually really reminded me of the 4th quarter of game 6 against Houston in 2019, where Curry starts cooking and the opposing team feels the game slipping away and it sends them into full panic mode and then you see Curry showing his mastery of Kerrs system, no matter what the defense did the answer was wrong

[@dieinanotherday]

It's like they intended to start slowly and end it on sprint as a planned show.

[@anshumanpatro3972]

@@dieinanotherday it is as if they planned the whole show to entertain fans and toy with cavs just to show them how naive they r if they think they can win easily even with a 13 point lead.

[@cl_0ud470]

@@dieinanotherday just like cycling, you only sprint in the last few meters to win it all

[@donsolos]

It wasnt that their answers were wrong he was just throwing every perfect counter punch

[@thedownunderverse]

@@cl_0ud470 after your lead out train and domestique has kept you out of the wind and destroyed themselves to deliver you to the sprint as fresh as possible and fully fed/hydrated. Not really comparable my man. Curry is a one man leadout, domestique and sprinter - and he switches between them on every offensive play. Which is why he’s unstoppable.

[@flavia.1DivineSpark]

if Steph is not himself the definition of the Most Valuable Player, I don't know who is. He is totally out of the curve

[@MindfulAttraction]

The goat is back. You should do more old school breakdowns Ben!!! 😭😭😭😭

[@stevo7220]

How can i steal Ayesha from Steph ..

[@kingish99thousand96]

@@stevo7220 impossible he’s a 6’3 millionaire on a winning team

[@the_magisterate]

i thought you meant breakdown ben simmons again lmao lowkey someone needa breakdown his breakdown in phily

[@seansachs6105]

Definitely. I'd love to see a breakdown of some of the stuff LeBron did during the 2018 playoffs or the Cavs vs. Pistons in 2007. Also, I'm intrigued by the stuff I'm seeing from Garland; curious to know how Ben views his offensive package.

[@shinobu37]

Appreciate greatness (Stephen Curry) before he is gone bum.

[@prajwalkrishnabhat5539]

As of right now, I don't think there's a single player who commands more attention on The court than curry. Not only is his defender always glued to him with or without the ball, but even the help defenders sometimes are paying more attention to Steph than the actual players they need to guard. Not only that, the help defenders are always ready to ditch their man in order to double or even triple team Steph. This happens only to Steph and no one else, it's crazy.

[@newrecruit100]

Or ever.

[@vitzveer]

The last play Garland looked at Steph for too long for no reason. It's like his guy moved and Garland turned his head and saw Steph, and his eyes fixed at Steph for a moment and forgot the one he should guard.

[@viperguyz]

Get it right by adding ever to the back of player 😆.

[@ralphashlybalano1764]

Even without high assist games Steph is arguably one of the best playmakers of all time 🤷‍♂️ his gravity alone gets a ton of open shots for the offense

[@ardianbeqaj7285]

he has the best/highest gravity of all time definitely

[@Liam-pm5hp]

@@ardianbeqaj7285 The perks of being the GOAT shooter

[@sergiodiaz2886]

I’ve been saying this

[@borz3188]

@@ardianbeqaj7285 Kobe?

[@elliotbaker5416]

@@borz3188 not close

[@thenegusayo]

Curry's gravity really can't be understated enough. His value is ridiculous

[@recommended1782]

were he still doesn't have much help they missed so many wide open 3 if it was like 9 out of 10 nights its a blowout early if they don't miss this many 3's

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

Overstated*

[@thenegusayo]

@@ImBarryScottCSS oh shoot yeah I meant overstated lol

[@tired783]

Trae young is better.

[@reidb6327]

@@tired783 not even close

[@FlyWithMe_666]

🏈

[@johnrenzoliveros3528]

Wtf?

[@zakiboudjemaa3750]

And an amazing dunker with his 40 inch vertical

[@chanachon56]

who the hell are you referring to?????????

[@charlesfowler4308]

@@chanachon56 Joe

[@ppttoons1410]

I can remember the time he posterized Giannis. Truly underrated

[@stoddard1953]

God, I love watching Steph play. He's just so so good. He's fast, his shot is virtually unguardable, he's scary accurate, and the best part? He's a likeable guy off the court. I don't know how anyone can sit here, and not appreciate Steph. When he retires, no doubt his presence will be missed as much as MJ when he retired. Like, really, he can make a 60 foot shot look super simple.

[@Anthonydu01630]

Exactly and this era will be remembered as the golden era, not that trash 90´s era with slow pace and heavy isolation playstyle… Im a Lebron fan but im a fan of basketball before everything so i love Curry too, just like i love KD, Giannis, Kawhi, CP3, Ja Morant, Doncic, Kyrie, Zion ect because they are special and entertaining. I don’t understand people who can’t support a player of an opposing team, like it’s basketball bro, its a game, not a war …

[@DonkeyKong5479]

@@Anthonydu01630 Both MJ and Steph are better than your boy LeBum tho

[@BenjaminFranklinFF1706]

@@Anthonydu01630 Lebron played in one of the slowest eras of basketball as well…. Nice try casual lol

[@Valdivia1115]

Great content. It’s crazy how a superstar does all the right offball movements for the benefit of the team. He’s not hunting assists, he’s hunting buckets. What a player.

[@razkable]

its like if lebron james played more in the post/off ball...he would legit be the goat...but he chooses not to..steph chooses to be the best he can be most nights...when hes lazy his easy to defend and his team loses usually...its about effort and what you d best not trying to master what you do poorly and make people shut up like what lebron does to his critics trying to be magic/mj/kobe/bird at once...we get it bron...but your built more like karl malone and you can play off ball better than dirk should due to your speed and athletic ability even if you can't shoot like him....you should be unguardable off ball if you post up and move/cut more and use screens off ball rather than at the top of the key where 5 guys can watch you...smdh..he hunts asissts thats the issue..curry hunts w's

[@foxfairchild2458]

@@razkable brooo what are you even talking about bron putting up 28 RIGHT FUCKING NOWWW dawggg lolz fuck outta here

[@dfuegomusicvideos]

You think people will read that essay

[@theonlyalecazam2947]

@@razkable No nuance

[@invictuz4803]

@@razkable I always thought there was something wrong with LeBron's game besides his clunkiness and you explained it perfectly!

[@yahalyulmer2912]

Random Thursday night in Cleveland sounds like a classic night for Steph to explode88

[@kaizerchief17]

We know it's Steph, but that off-ball movement at 1:25 ...WOW

[@michaellarose5827]

Sadly he doesn’t play like this in the playoffs. He kept chucking the ball and cost us the 2015 and 2019 finals 🤦

[@mikaelespath7624]

@@michaellarose5827 Sadly this take is an utter fallacy, as this channel has shown. Please man, this isn't an ESPN or First Take channel, this is for mature basketball fans. Take the trolling somewhere else.

[@raviatm]

@@mikaelespath7624 100

[@darhk_night6660]

@@michaellarose5827 he averged 30ppg In 2019 and won the chip in 2015

[@xordus]

I think he may be the best off-ball guard in the history of basketball. I don't really like Steph but I respect the fuck out of his game

[@kingjaydex7464]

I’m a Nets fan but I’ve always believed this guy is the best player in the world. He can’t generate easy shots off the dribble the way Durant can but Curry’s impact even at 33 is unmatched by nobody else outside of LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

[@Van_ax]

How can you say that if you watched the nets consistently? Durant gets double teamed on every play down the court creating easy shots for Bruce brown/and all their role players. The warriors triangle and two’d Kd the other weak. He creates a lot of shots for teammates too and does a lot of other things better. Kd > Steph imo

[@kingjaydex7464]

@@Van_ax KD doesn’t get doubled as often as you think and the shots he creates for teammates ain’t nearly as much as Steph they’re on 2 different planets in that regard

[@imadubsfan1]

@@kingjaydex7464 and imo KD is like Lebron in that he can run an offense but needs the ball to do so unlike Curry who can do it with or without the ball. KD, Lebron, and all the other stars aren't as effective off the ball because they don't really move around as much as Curry does.

[@dpgoulette]

@@Van_ax I love KD amazing plaer. He and Curry are close when it comes to scoring. KD is better defensively. Curry is way better at getting the rest of the team easy buckets. The space that curry creates beyond the 3 point line (along with Draymonds passing ability) makes for a lot of easy runs to the rim. On top of that, you willl hear every warrior say how curry sets the tone for the whole team to play team ball.

[@coreygolphenee9633]

I'm still gonna give it to Kevin for the defensive impact

[@joekerr5418]

Love it when steph makes the other team screen for him 🤣

[@danielguveiyian]

Wake up babe thinking basketball uploaded again

[@mrmacross]

Flashbacks to his Davidson days when he literally stood at the halfcourt line for all of the second half and most of the first of one game because the opposing team's coach insisted on double-teaming Curry at every single moment of every defensive possession. Davidson won by 30 thanks to this stupid "let's play 3-on-4" strategy.

[@moto2442]

He actually stood in the corner

[@Cuzjudd]

How did he fall to 7

[@mrmacross]

@@moto2442 You're right, my mistake.

[@noteminemsburneraccount324]

@@Cuzjudd he fell because scouts thought he was to slow and small and didn't account into the fact the man would literally change the NBA forever

[@freddiee-johnson2615]

@@Cuzjudd Because the nba in 2009 is not the same as it is now. Even going into the 2014/15 season where Curry got his first ring - the narrative is that you can't win chips with 3 point shooting, you need the traditional team makeup of star wings and dominant bigs who bang down low. Back in 2009 there was on average 19 3pts per game for a team - curry is shooting 14 3's a game by himself this season. Every scout thought he was by far the best shooter in his class, but they also thought that wouldn't lead to being a star in the NBA.

[@onlyjesus6421]

Reminds me so much of Messi in football. With his dribbling, Messi also distracts at least one or two defenders in addition to his main defender, and therefore creates space for his teammates. Thank you for the analysis as always.

[@messistl]

Thanks man

[@HKPBanuka]

Dude Curry and Messi are so similar in their respective sports

[@blazingxflame]

I just wish Messi’s teammates weren’t affected by it too. The last couple years haven’t been amazing imo, and it’s sad to see my countries team not at 100%

[@neochezhian]

@@blazingxflame It’s unfair how Barcelona built around Messi, Barcelona could have been a greatest team ever by surrounding Messi with defensive and high motor players, instead they went with Flashy signings. 2014 Argentina truly built to Messi Magic

[@blazingxflame]

@@neochezhian nah the bad thing is that they literally wanted messi to carry every game. Instead of getting better they just gave him the ball. That’s why so many players left to join other teams

[@VerdeBoy13]

People say he’s not the greatest point guard of all time because he scores too much and he does not have a lot of assists. But after breakdowns like this, you really cannot measure how many assists a night this man gets just off of his gravity and off ball pin downs. Maybe one day we will have advanced metrics and analytics to truly tell is greatness and contribution to his teammates and winning. He is the greatest point guard of all time in my opinion.

[@donsolos]

He cant play fucking defence, literally has 0 winning matchups in the NBA on defence. He is no where close to greatest of all time. I would take john stockton over curry 10 times out of 10. Stockton was as good at facilitating as curry was at shooting. And John stockton also happens to destroy everybody in the steals category

[@VerdeBoy13]

@@donsolos lmao 🤡

[@donsolos]

@@VerdeBoy13 I'm the clown? Cant even muster a reply. Straight to the insults. Me - 1 You - 0 Lmao. Ez dub. Instantly folded like a b*tch

[@VerdeBoy13]

@@donsolos yes you’re a clown.

[@bemahamankwaah7481]

@@donsolos he has one now. He is above average defender. What now?

[@auds6764]

My favorite KZbinr talking about my favorite player? It doesn’t get much better than this

[@battyboifided6629]

The goat talking about the goat

[@nithilanamudhan6260]

I actually realise that Issac Okoro played really good D on Steph for a year 2 player. However to defend this type of a guy on this type of a system needs more than just basics and he got torched. Well played cavs, we the warriors looked outplayed all 3 quarters till that massive run even with a depleted roster.

[@to3sted248]

Nobody can defend curry alone the whole team literally needs to be involved to defend him which is near impossible but ya for year 2 player he did good but not enough

[@mobetta2092]

Steph's ability to shoot with accuracy from virtually anywhere in any situation is as much a gift as MJ's athleticism, LeBron's size, speed, athleticism, and IQ, Shaq's massive size, and Giannis's and Kawhi's massive hands. It's time to start hearing Steph's name mentioned on some of these basketball Mt. Rushmores and all-time starting 5 teams.

[@emmanuelmoses7249]

Facts. Offensively speaking, his impact rivals, if not outweighs prime LeBron and Jordan. And that's saying Alot. I think come playoff time Steph isn't as lethal and that's holding him back, but still. He deserves to be in the conversation

[@bbbllsels2773]

Wait until NBA finals to say he's one of the greats of all time. Curry has not proven himself in NBA finals. Without Durant, he only got 1 championship. He recruited Durant to beat LBJ lol.

[@natedablack7857]

@@emmanuelmoses7249 "[Offensively] speaking, his impact rivals, [if not outweighs] prime LeBron and Jordan." Oh, is that right? FACT: literally 62% of Steph's offense in 2019 was scored on 3pt attempts. Yet he only avg'd 27ppg on 47% shooting. Only 2% of MJ's pts in 1987 were scored on 3pt attempts. Yet he avg'd 37ppg on 48% shooting. And you're silly enough to claim that his scoring impact rivals a prime MJ?!! Are you stupid?!! I don't know what's worse about your generation. You're delusions of grandeur about current players, or your ignorance about past ones...SMH

[@meowie2140]

@@natedablack7857 MJ averaged 27.8 FGA in 1987 while Steph averaged 19.4 FGA in 2019. MJ was literally attempting 8 more shots than Curry. If you compute their Points per Attempt, MJ was scoring 1.33 and Curry 1.4 per attempt, which means Curry would have scored more if he shot the same amount. And let's be honest here, if MJ can shoot the rock like Curry from way downtown he'd be doing it too. Besides, the guy mentioned "IMPACT" and if you even watched the video, Steph's gravity creates so many scoring opportunities for other teammates that's why he claims he can rival MJ's impact on the floor. Personally I still also believe MJ is the GOAT and is no doubt a unicorn in this game of basketball but saying Steph cannot rival MJ's impact on the court and calling the guy stupid for believing so makes it seem like you are the delusional one here. Appreciate greatness in all eras of the basketball, don't be stuck in the past my guy.

[@emmanuelmoses7249]

@@meowie2140 Appreciate the comment. I personally don't even get into it with people like that..The irony of throwing insults at people when in fact you're the one who's clearly missing the point lol, Smh.

[@armin38822]

More players even at the pro level have to understand that they can really help their teammates on offense without the ball. With moving,cutting,shooting,spacing the floor,setting picks etc. Curry does it to perfection. Is an assisst over and over again. Is also very unpredictable instead of one guy holding the ball and cracking up 15 assists. Yeah it looks great on the boxscore but this type of offense is much harder to defend. It drains you out. Being agressive won't help you. As defenders all 5 of you have to be extra connected,read the offense constantly and communicate. Is very hard to be consistant with that. Your focus drops down for 5 minutes and boom they have 10+ points on you... If I was a coach I would constantly try to perfect my offense in this way. You don't need Steph Curry level of shooting. You just need decent/good shooters. 2014 Spurs were great at this also.

[@Anthonydu01630]

Yeah but you must be super smart to know were and when you need to be and have a super stamina because i don’t think every players especially big men can run all the game like that … If it was that easy you would see Dame, Harden, KD, Trae Young, Doncic or Lebron doing it because they have unlimited range too, but it’s just not their game, and they can do as much damage with the ball. So it’s up to you to find if you are better at Curry playstyle or Trae playstyle or Kyrie playstyle…

[@kalimbobo]

You also need a strong defense magnet to distort the field. When a guy who shot 105 in a row in rhythm splashes 3 in a row in a 4th qtr comeback, it's anxiety inducing for the defense. It's crazy how much he pulls defenders off their own rhythm

[@oneman9121]

The reason why no other NBA teams run Steve Kerr/Greg Popovich's system is simple. It needs high IQ players, and most importantly, it requires time and discipline. It's difficult enough to coach professional players as they are, but asking them to buy into a system is near impossible. Take D'antoni's offense for example. Just spread the floor and play pick'n roll. No cutters. PF/C crash boards and fill the corners. Even the dumbest players can play in that system. Not every basketball player actually knows how to set proper screens, cut, box-out, and fill.

[@t4d0W]

There are very few players where their individual ability to 'wear down' a team in 4 quarters is very apparent. Iverson did it with his pure energy and being able to play at his energy drink intensity for all 4 quarters. Prime Shaq did it just hurting opposing teams big man depth charts and anyone else smaller tried to defend him. Steph has a more immediate impact with this as it involves helping the ball around with the right cast around him (this season full of guys who CAN play with Steph and vets) you see all this right before your eyes.

[@t4d0W]

@@oneman9121 It is very apparent. Last season with the influx of new talent, Warriors were in a weird identity crisis of trying to meld all those together with what Steph was great at. It didn't work out and in the end the convincing decision was to surround Steph with guys who can work with him bar none and hope Klay comes back at his best injury. So far the results are telling of having those experienced players around Steph does unlock him in full.

[@cheekypasta55]

Another crazy thing? So far this season, Steph Curry has TWO 40pt games with 9 threes made and ONE FREE THROW ATTEMPT. In James Harden's two highest scoring games this season (29pts and 39pts), he had 19 fta and 15 fta in those games.

[@ColinGLogan]

There's been a lot of talk about Steph's gravity, but I don't think I've ever seen a better example than that 3 on 2 that's really a 2 on 1. Garland just won't leave him open and you can't blame him, every player in the league is told by every coach to never, ever, leave Steph open

[@TheZekriamLP]

Got goosebumps watching this video, this system is already beautiful in real time but seeing all this detail is straight up mesmerizing.

[@thegumbojumbo2944]

If I had to show someone what I mean when I talk about the gravity and impact Steph has on an offense independent of scoring, this would be it. Really well-done and of course ridiculous, yet normal performance from Steph.

[@klover19]

Man Steph is just an incredible off ball player. Mate was doing things like this on the raptors in 2019. Generational talent 🙌🏼

[@joejoecap.181]

Amazing job brother! This is how these idiots on ESPN should be breaking down games instead of ranting and raving about Lebron's daily bowel movements and Kyrie not getting the jab! I have been an NBA fan for over 48 years (fell in love with the Warriors in their 74=75 championship team when I was 6). I always tell people, it's not just the tangible things that Steph does night in and night out, it's all the intangibles (as you so perfectly pointed out). If the NBA counted assists like they do in soccer and hockey (second hand) Steph would be averaging over 20 a nite. Why do you think Draymond has such a high average? It's because of Steph! They double him, he immediately kicks it to Dray at the top of the key (while Curry sits back below the 3 pt line still doubled) and Dray finds a cutter. It's a thing of beauty nite in and nite out! Absolutely great work!!! Thank you!

[@vondutch1483]

It's crazy how physical teams are with Steph. He's always getting mobbed but still has the strength and intelligence to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.

[@Loris71734]

Old heads try to say he “couldn’t handle” the “tougher game” of the 80s and 90s too lol. So many people judge him without even watching

[@mambamentality3141]

@@Loris71734fr

[@tahina2286]

Curry's gravity on display right there. It's incredible how many shots, backdoor cuts, open lanes he creates just by being present on the court, with or without the ball !

[@razkable]

curry is scarier without the ball then with it 6/10 times.....you would rather have him play natural point guard dribble up the court play pick and roll with a big and dribble dribble pass and move to the corner stand still waiting than move off screens cut and pop out for wing threes....

[@Ham_1982]

shooting the ball from anywhere on the court, doesn't matter the angle, doesn't matter the distance, doesn't matter who's defending, entire teams chasing him every game!! he is the little player that plays like a giant

[@davidtodic9871]

Jokic and Curry would be unstoppable. They are match-made in heaven.

[@BenjaminFranklinFF1706]

Horrible defense !

[@AndyZach]

Cleveland fan here. Sad to lose after an otherwise fine game, but to stop the GSW offense and Steph, you must have five great defenders and good team defense. You must hinder movement and passing or you're dead. I've followed the Cavs since 1970 and we've lost to GSW 3 times in the Finals even when our starters outplayed their starters.

[@basketballskillsanddevelop4014]

Nobody moves that good without the ball! That is one of the Curry's most craziest advantages comparing him to the other players. One of the greats.

[@healthycrackhead2273]

As I was watching this game, I immediately thought of your box creation model. The Cavs fan in me wanted to cry but the basketball nerd was stunned! Insane quarter from Steph

[@keshified]

You know how we're so mesmerized with Hakeem and McHale on the post? With Kobe and Mike's mid post? That's the same feeling I get watching Curry move. He's like Rip or Reggie but everywhere on the court. His defenders must be going crazy chasing him around, jumping contesting just to have the ball swish through 50% of the time.

[@JL..]

1:28 woah I love this play so much Not only is he a running threat, he can create for his teammates too not just by passing but supporting crazy his potential is endless

[@RayleighSilvers]

And haters say he isn't clutch. This also shows how much his teammates improved. They now know how to take advantage of Curry's gravity.

[@Cuzjudd]

That's because every Warriors training session is centered around plays to get Steph the ball

[@Stormtrooper-fv7dr]

His off-ball movement is something else, all the tricks and countermoves to beat the defense that just so massively concentrated on him even he is not a ball-handler - truly a game within a game. Brilliant stuff.

[@davegroves1924]

Thanks Ben!! This was an excellent class for the casual B-Ball fan and even for those of us with lots of knowledge of the game but don't have the time or ability to dissect videos. As an ardent Curry fan I'm grateful.

[@itsdreamy3704]

He's a walking chaos for defenders. Damn I feel bad for defenders that gets the Curry assignment, really really tough

[@hurleycapetown8420]

Curry is the Messi of Basketball or visa versa,both players change the game just by their presence and the fear they create because you give them anything and they will take advantage of it.

[@coledorillo6685]

Look at curry man, so inspirational. If curry isn’t in your top 10 all time, you are either in denial or a basketball old-head.

[@harryo82]

Steph might be the most underrated player in NBA history.

[@mzr7649]

It’s the off ball movement combined with his lethal shooting that really makes him dangerous to guard, he sets up his teammates with off ball playmaking by just moving around the court

[@rantanen1]

imagine how frustrating it is to guard Steph, you let him get any space within half court and suddenly he's launching a three

[@allstar4065]

@@jbarshorts Horrible take + ratio

[@leviellis7196]

@@allstar4065 W

[@leviellis7196]

If it means making 45 million a year then say less shit i'd do the same

[@BenjaminFranklinFF1706]

@@allstar4065 KD’s 2nd option lol

[@leroiarthuroiie2142]

That was a nightmare for Okoro 😭😭

[@thetvCruz]

I don't even know what else to say?! He's just amazing!

[@chumark54]

Great analysis. Maybe you should also analyze their defense too: Cavaliers only scored 5 pts on the majority of the 4th quarter.

[@elliotbaker5416]

I think with Draymond being allowed to sit back a little more and not be a first option playmaker on offense now that steph’s fully back, it means he’s back to his usual defensive dominance, mostly in ways that don’t show up in the box score, a lot like what Curry does for the offense.

[@chumark54]

@@elliotbaker5416 Yeah, it seems Geen's stats don't reflect his contribution. But he's also quite hot-tempered, he better not messes things up. Personally, I believe that if Green didn't get suspended for that game in 2016, the champion could have been the Warriors'.

[@David_USC]

@ESPN @FOXSPORTS This man deserves a contract - way better than most of the analysts on your payroll.

[@gideoncheung8731]

Wow, didn't expect Thinking Basketball to do shorts! Good for us! Having something like these random shorts or stuff like thoughts of the week or continuing the 5 thoughts series would be awesome, but don't overwork yourself either!

[@philipwacker4629]

Omg yes. Just finished watching Greatest Peaks: Curry for n'th time. This is pure mastery of the art; the Chef cooking and you serving. Thank you.

[@jonz23m]

Today's Curry is definitely much physically stronger than a few years ago. He rebounds and defensive numbers also improved

[@gerryendersen4718]

The sequence at 1:26 is insane you would think that the greatest shooter of all time wouldn’t be given any breathing room but he literally created three potential open baskets in one play with off the ball movement

[@ziggle5000]

I'm seeing a lot of praise for this play and I'm sorry but Steph enters the paint with 16 on the shot clock and leaves with 8 on the shot clock. If he's gonna be able to make cuts and set screens exclusively in the paint for 8 seconds than it's obviously going to have a huge impact. What he did was creative but he didn't do any toetapping or anything to reset his 3 second count. Should've been called, wasn't because the refs don't expect steph to be in there that long

[@gerryendersen4718]

@@ziggle5000 yeah ur right I don’t watch much basketball so I forgot ab that rule but his movement is still something to behold

[@ziggle5000]

@@gerryendersen4718 it is still creative and impressive that he would think to do something like that though, just should've been called

[@imanafandy6607]

People tend to praise his accuracy and quick release, but I think what makes him the greatest shooter is his off ball movement. Unlike many shooters who just waiting to be open

[@neyhmor]

Good point. The dude has an insane stamina. Who can keep running and screening like this? While maintaining such high precision shots? The man is a legend 🙌

[@roncolem4558]

@@neyhmor Kenny the jet Smith said the same thing. His conditioning is insane.

[@satisfyingwalks4010]

Steph and LeBron are the two most valuable players of the last decade or so. If KD didn't go to gsw in 2017, I think Steph vs Lbj would have paralleled Bird vs Magic as the best rivalry

[@donsolos]

People gas light curry too hard. He shrunk in those first 3 finals vs LBJ. In almost everyone of those final games he was never the best player for GSW

[@greener8762]

@@donsolos bro yes he was 💀, kd literally had wide open isolations because of stephs gravity off the ball, he also scored 50 on a box and 1 😂😂😂😂😂

[@donsolos]

@@greener8762 bro KD was on another level that series. They decided to let KD eat and lock everybody down. And that is still only 1/3 finals

[@greener8762]

@@donsolos if u look at metrics curry is the most impactful and players on the warriors they played 10x better with just him on then floor when kd was just on the floor, I swear people literally just don’t look at metrics omfg 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@donsolos]

@@greener8762 bro I dont care about metrics. Stats lie. I watched those finals and i watched curry shrink into a diminished role. The moment was too big for him and he struggled mightily in the first 2 championship series vs Cleveland. Need I remind you of dellavedola??? And you will never convince me curry was more impactful than KD. you are clearly just another curry fan boy

[@andruminus1231]

Steph is a walking basketball cheat code for team offense. I declare him the G.O.A.T. of efficient nba scoring period.

[@MrNilion]

Whatever gap in their was in GSW offense after KD left, Curry filled it and then some. The man is truly ascending.

[@riochuck8056]

I just dont understand how someone can see and predict all the paths they can take to move the defense or create all those screens

[@Cuzjudd]

He's a savant

[@jangardini7909]

Curry is just amazing at punishing poor defenders, i think he might be the player that gets more benefit from opponents poor defensive asset.

[@fatboy561]

This man offball skill is amazing

[@dephy11]

As a Cavs fan, it sucks that we blew that end of the third lead, but the way Curry plays is just beautiful to watch.

[@Majuuub]

You guys played very well despite missing 5 players

[@yoy.p8282]

Warriors are very good in using angles to create separation. I remember one play last season the game winner by jordan poole where steve kerr designed an angled cut and screen so he can drive to the basket where he had a split second advantage against the defender.

[@peumsteum1]

Great work bro. Its just amazing to see greatness. One thing you shoulded mention, before stephen come in, all warriors were struggling for points.

[@egoiorobio5988]

Steph's still underrated man...

[@javislice]

he's the best player in the league. breaking people's ankles with off ball movement, back to back games with 9 3 pointers made, and getting mvp chants when he's not even IN san francisco. curry is unmatched bro.

[@malz6186]

1:11 curry isn't only a great 3 point shooter but he moves great off the ball

[@SmokeyPirate999]

After this season, I feel like Steph will need to be in the goat conversation.

[@HartleysRaspberry]

hed lose that discussion everytime

[@marcyoung9019]

Steph has the best off ball movement of all time

[@yungburgerpatty1484]

This video really puts into perspective how special a talent Curry is.. He's not just the greatest shooter because of his ability to line the ball up with the hoop, it's also what leads up to that. The off the ball movement, running back and forth around screens, the anticipation and split second decision making, the passing prowess, the ball handling and then some. I'm really convinced we might never see a player exceed Curry at what he does.

[@zaippiaz]

Love this breakdown! Especially from someone who's into world football, I'm getting into the tactical elements of basketball

[@sportsguy1997]

Would love to see more of these breakdowns from specific games.

[@MohamadKhalifNoer]

That 2-to-1 scenario is insane. Teams really would give up a wide open layup instead of giving Curry a chance to shoot a three.

[@simonmccamus7817]

Brilliant video. Well done! Loved the slow mos and freeze-frames with accompanying descriptions and commentary. Great breakdown of all the relevant action on O and D going into every moment of each possession at focus. Thanks so much!

[@yahalyulmer2912]

Now I have seen the video, and I think that the Steve Kerr sytle of offense (motion, off ball screening, cutting and reading the defense) is the perfect opposite for Helicentric offenses, although it requires more ball skills (shooting, moving and passing) to the roster

[@halyup]

That system requires to have a player like Steph Without him that system isnt elite

[@yahalyulmer2912]

@@halyup please look at the 2014 spurs, a living proof that the system can work without Steph

[@babsNumber2]

@@yahalyulmer2912 I think it's a different system. Or a different implementation of it. Look at the GSW plays, Kerr really centers the offensive threats around Curry.

[@yahalyulmer2912]

@@babsNumber2 maybe, but they pretty similar

[@kennethch9549]

They had Duncan, another top 5-10 all time great Basketball player

[@MrEazyze]

Amazing content. Steph is a generational talent and we are lucky to witness it... side note, Darius Garland is absolutely atrocious defensively

[@Cuzjudd]

Yep. I feel less bad about the Pels not taking him now

[@chengyabin]

Fantastic analysis, great job! This is most fluent and clean demonstration on curry and Worrier's offense system, keep doing that man!

[@mattdotts]

I've never seen defenses freeze and become so confused like I have with Steph. Like collectively paralyzed as a unit. His threat from range is insane. Since 2016 he's been doing this. Combined with the telepathic chemistry with Dray😳👀

[@MrHotSpice100]

Curry really using Cleveland’s D to screen off his man 😂

[@jaythegreat9211]

Noti gang

[@NLB123]

Best play by play breakdown I’ve ever seen. This deserve a show on tv.

[@cheeholim2084]

look at the defense the opponent put on him..... glue to him... hugging him during the play, best part even when he is without the ball.....

[@stevenc.5113]

He’s going to get a second unanimous MVP this year.

[@ubadman1]

What curry does is completely flip the rules of defense on its head. Nba defenses have been collapsing on bigs and cutters since the 50s. Curry makes a game of 5v5 into a game of 4vt or even 3v5. The warriors are always in a stta effort advantage with him on the floor. What annoys me with the conversation around curry and rankings is we still place so much value on height and ability rather than game impact. Curry is currently the best player in the NBA and it's not particularly close.

[@joeysalupen7863]

Your analysis is unique from other commentators, how you break-down Curry's greatness is unparalleled. Hope you could do more soon.

[@networknewbie1]

Literally never stops moving when he’s on the floor. Watching it in slow motion really highlights just how insane his effort is. Relentless. Must be a complete nightmare to guard.

[@phothewin6019]

I've always said that Steph Curry is the Reggie Miller of the NBA. Fantastic player.

[@trimrimmer]

wouldnt reggie miller be the reggie miller of the nba

[@jgrgallentes]

Yes, it was Reggie whom I remember when it comes to 3's from running through screens.

[@REghazzawi]

Way better than reggie

[@phothewin6019]

@@trimrimmer That definitely could work, but I've always considered Reggie to be the Ray Allen of the NBA.

[@phothewin6019]

@@jgrgallentes Right??

[@seanfainsan4002]

It's Steph's second act. Just like Mike did in Chicago, I predict Steph is gonna blow the doors off the NBA for the next years to come and I'm not even a Warriors fan. Buckle your seatbelts. This is History in the making.

[@spainengland1]

Thank you for this, as a person from the UK who doesn't watch games live, this is phenomenal

[@johnbhurdt]

G.O.A.T. The quality of your content is top notch. Steph is must see basketball right now. The last time I felt like i couldn't miss a warriors game was when steph scored 54 points against the knicks. He is in rare form again this year.