The two agreed they'd carry on with the plan until the Warriors lost, which they did in Game 4.Īs the public address announcer performed player introductions prior to each of the first four games against the Nuggets, Curry found himself in an unusual spot - standing near Kerr on the bench while Poole joined the four starters near center court. Kerr expressed his appreciation and called him the greatest sixth man of all time. As the Warriors prepared their rotation for Game 3 in Denver, Curry again told Kerr he'd be happy to come off the bench, even as his restriction had been moved up to 32 minutes. When the Warriors, up 1-0, raised his restriction for Game 2 to 28 to 30 minutes, Curry opted again for the bench role, telling Kerr the arrangement was working well. Recognizing that of all his attributes as a basketball player, rhythm is among his most valued, Curry chose the second option. "This might have been a daunting conversation with most other star players, but not the slightest bit daunting with Steph," Kerr says. The second had Curry coming off the bench to start each half, which would reduce the length of his time on the bench between playing time. The first was similar to Thompson's: Curry would start but take longer stints on the bench than he was accustomed to. The plan proved awkward for Thompson, who found it difficult to maintain his rhythm after subbing out of the game, then spending 12 minutes on a stationary bike before taking the floor again. Thompson had chosen to assume his traditional spot in the starting lineup, then take lengthier breaks during the game. The Warriors had imposed a similar restriction when Thompson returned to action in January after two seasons away from the game. The restriction presented Curry and Warriors coach Steve Kerr with a difficult exercise - determining which 20-to-25 minutes Curry would play. Here are seven moments that shaped the Warriors' remarkable postseason run, from the opening round to the final buzzer in Boston, and revived a dynasty.Īpril 16: Curry comes off the bench to open the postseasonĬurry got clearance to return for the Warriors' playoff run in April after missing the final month of the regular season because of a sprained ligament and bone bruise in his left foot, but he would be limited to between 20 and 25 minutes in Game 1 of Golden State's first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. One of only three current teammates who have played alongside Curry on each of the Warriors' championship teams, Iguodala embraced his close friend. ![]() Andre Iguodala marched from center court over to Curry, extracted him from the scrum and handed him the game ball. Given the Warriors' pedigree, their return to the top of the NBA isn't a surprise - but it was improbable.Īfter another quick moment to himself, Curry was mobbed by Thompson, Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and rookies Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga (who was 12 years old when Curry won his first ring). The Warriors endured a two-year hiatus in the NBA wilderness after the departure of Kevin Durant and the extended absence of Klay Thompson due to injury, while Curry dealt with his own spate of maladies. The Warriors restored their dynasty with a 103-90 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6, but not since Curry's first championship in 2015 had Golden State entered the season with less expectation. Curry rose to his feet, placed his hands on his head, then dropped it again as the tears flowed. As the buzzer sounded, teammates, opponents, photographers and family spilled onto the court. Thirty-four points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, 6-for-11 from distance is a proper expression of anger for a man who keeps his emotions guarded but knows how to shoot a basketball. He cradled himself, dropped his head, rested his knees on his elbows and cried.ĭraymond Green said Curry would be livid as he took the court in Boston for Game 6 on Thursday, after an 0-for-9 performance from 3 in Game 5, and that prophecy was correct. Yet in an instant, Curry sank to the floor with two seconds remaining in the 2022 NBA Finals. He appeared to be ecstatic - broad smile, giddy - a natural reaction to winning a fourth NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors. ![]() Stephen Curry didn't know whether to laugh or cry when the seconds ticked down at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday night. ![]() NBA Finals 2022: The seven moments that supercharged the return of the Golden State Warriors' dynasty You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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