When you watch Stephen Curry play, his off-ball movement is often the first thing you notice. The Golden State Warriors superstar guard is best known for his three-point marksmanship. However, it’s his constant movement that allows him to thrive from behind the arc.
Curry is a blur. He never stays still, forcing his defenders to chase him around the court, going over or (foolishly) under screens. In a recent passage from his new book “Shot Ready,” Curry explained why his non-stop movement is the glue that ties his overall offensive approach together.
“You can exhaust your opponent,” Curry wrote. “In the first quarter, they may be physically and mentally rested. Their adrenaline is pumping, their minds coordinating well with their bodies. That’s when they are most formidable. But let’s see them in the third quarter. Fourth quarter.”
Curry continued.
“That’s what I gear all my training for these days, but it has always been my strategy, even in high school and college: Cover ground, play on and off the ball, and stay in relentless motion for the whole game. There will always be stronger, faster guys out there who try to make my life miserable. But I try to counter that with never staying in the same spot for more than a second.”
Even now, at 37 years old, Curry’s conditioning and non-stop movement are a key part of his offensive output. His gravity ensures defenses react to his movement, which oftentimes opens things up for his teammates, too.
Curry Is Still An Elite Offensive Weapon For Warriors
Last season, Curry suited up for 70 regular-season games. He averaged 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6 assists, shooting 44.8% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. His movement allowed him to lead the Warriors chart for catch-and-shoot attempts from deep, where he averaged 2.2 makes per game on 5.1 attempts.
With the new season now on the horizon, Steve Kerr will undoubtedly lean on Curry’s movement and gravity to create opportunities for Jimmy Butler and likely Buddy Hield. Both veterans will undoubtedly reap the benefits of the space Curry’s presence can create.
Warriors’ Curry Has No Plans to Retire
In a recent conversation with “ABC7 News Bay Area,” Curry addressed his mindset on retirement. The superstar guard noted that he works in two-year windows and doesn’t envision calling it quits any time soon.
“It’s the question you ask yourself every morning,” Curry said. “You wake up, and you want to, you know, go spend some time in the gym and keep working on your craft. I still love it, so it’s not really a question of urgency now. But, you know, I got some advice from some pros who extended their careers—it’s like, you just take it every two years and give everything you’ve got to it, and then you kind of reassess at that point. So, I’m starting a new cycle over, and you know the work you have to put in to stay at your level.”
The Warriors are currently chasing a fifth NBA championship of the Curry era. He’s still among the best players in the NBA. Therefore, it’s highly unlikely he calls time on his career, especially if he believes Golden State still has a shot at another championship ring.
Of course, that could change in a year or two. But, for now, Curry appears to be locked in and ready to continue competing at the highest level.
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