Curry heads into challenge ‘at his peak’
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered a sound bite after practice Sunday that should scare the rest of the NBA.
“To me, he’s at his peak physically, mentally,” Kerr said of guard Stephen Curry. “He’s seen every defense that people have thrown at him during his career, and he’s ready to have a great year.”
Kerr’s comments came three days after Curry posted 40 points on 14for19 shooting (6for9 from 3point range), six assists, six rebounds and two steals in the Warriors’ preseason win over Minnesota. Now Golden State’s oldest player at just 31, Curry has wowed his eight new teammates in practice with the dazzling dribbling displays, deep 3pointers and scoop shots that have become his staple.
The big question is whether he can keep
it up over the course of an 82game season. With Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston gone, and Klay Thompson sidelined until at least late February with a knee injury, Curry might need to play at an MVP level for the Warriors to make the playoffs — much less contend for an NBA title.
Those closest to Curry believe he is up for the challenge. In June, after his Warriors fell to the Raptors in the Finals, Curry met with his agent and mapped out a dramafree summer. During the first month of the offseason, Curry relaxed at home with family and let his body recover.
Starting in midJuly, he began working out for three hours a day, six days a week. Curry’s only break came when he and his wife, Ayesha, traveled with friends to Iceland in late August for vacation.
“It’s the perfect time, physically and mentally, where everything’s coming together for him,” Kerr said. “He’s in his prime agewise, strength and conditioningwise. Defensively, he’s seen everything that’s come his way.
“So, teams have played him every possible way that you can think of. He’s had years now to work on counters. He’s kind of in his sweet spot, and he has been the last couple of years. Hopefully that continues for the next few years, but he’s an amazing player.”
Added swingman Alec Burks, who signed with the Warriors in July: Curry’s “different. Just playing against him for seven, eight years, and actually being around him every day, playing pickup with him, scrimmaging with him, he’s in a different type of mode right now. He’s locked in. It’s great to be a part of and not against.” Rest plan: Kerr plans to rest some players Monday night against the Lakers at Staples Center, but he has yet to decide who will sit that game and who will sit out Wednesday’s game against the Lakers.
“The coaching staff will talk on the plane,” said Kerr, who has already conceded that Curry will rest at some point during the Los Angeles trip. “We’ll pull a couple players aside, see how they’re feeling and see what we want to do.”
It doesn’t help that the Warriors still have a lengthy injury list. In addition to Thompson and Willie CauleyStein (foot), Burks (ankle), Kevon Looney (hamstring) and Alen Smailagic (ankle) again missed practice Sunday. For the second day in a row, Burks was seen getting in individual work after practice.