Introduction to Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is one of the most iconic and well-known basketball players of all time. He is a six-time NBA All-Star, a two-time Most Valuable Player, and a three-time NBA champion. He is widely known for his shooting ability, ball-handling skills, and his incredible range from beyond the three-point line.
Curry began his professional career playing for the Golden State Warriors, who selected him as the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Since then, he has become one of the most decorated players in NBA history. In this article, we will examine how Curry joined the NBA and how his career has evolved since then.
High School Career
Before he was drafted into the NBA, Curry had a successful high school career. He attended Charlotte Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was a four-year starter on the school’s basketball team. During his senior season, he averaged 21.5 points, 6.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.8 steals per game, and was named the state player of the year by the Charlotte Observer.
Curry was also a standout player in other sports, such as baseball and golf. He was an All-State selection in baseball and an All-Region selection in golf. He was also an Honor Roll student who maintained a 3.8 GPA.
College Career at Davidson
After high school, Curry decided to attend Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. He was a three-year starter at Davidson, and in his freshman year he averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He was named the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year as well as the conference’s Player of the Year for two consecutive years.
Curry led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, where he scored 40 points in a first-round win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He also scored 25 points against the eventual champion Kansas Jayhawks in the Elite Eight. He was named first team All-American and was a consensus pick for the John R. Wooden Award, which is given to the nation’s top college basketball player.
NBA Draft
After the conclusion of his college career, Curry declared for the 2009 NBA Draft. He was projected to be a late first-round pick, but the Golden State Warriors selected him with the seventh overall pick.
The Warriors were a struggling franchise at the time, having not made the playoffs in 13 years. Curry was seen as a risky pick due to his lack of size and athleticism, but the Warriors were confident in his shooting ability and decision making.
Rookie Season
Curry’s rookie season was a success. He averaged 17.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, and he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He also set an NBA record for three-pointers made by a rookie with 166.
Despite Curry’s success, the Warriors still failed to make the playoffs. The team finished with a 29-53 record, which was good enough for 11th place in the Western Conference.
Breakout Season
In his second season, Curry had a breakout year. He averaged 18.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, and he set a new NBA record with 272 three-pointers made in a single season. He was also named to his first All-Star Game, and he earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
The Warriors also improved significantly, finishing the season with a 36-46 record, which was good enough for ninth place in the Western Conference.
The Warriors’ Rise to Prominence
In Curry’s third season, the Warriors took a major step forward. They added forward David Lee and guard Klay Thompson in free agency, and they hired Mark Jackson as their head coach. This marked the beginning of the Warriors’ rise to prominence.
Curry had another strong season, averaging 22.9 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. He also set a new NBA record with 286 three-pointers made in a single season. The Warriors also made the playoffs for the first time since 1994, finishing with a 47-35 record and the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
The Rise of the Warriors Dynasty
In the 2013-14 season, the Warriors took another major step forward. They added center Andrew Bogut and forward Andre Iguodala in free agency, and they added forward Draymond Green in the NBA Draft. This marked the beginning of the Warriors’ dynasty.
Curry had another strong season, averaging 24.0 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. He also set a new NBA record with 261 three-pointers made in a single season. The Warriors also had the best record in the NBA with a record of 51-31, and they won their first championship in 40 years.
Back-to-Back Championships
In the 2014-15 season, the Warriors continued their success. They finished with a record of 67-15, which was the best record in the NBA. Curry also had a strong season, averaging 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. He also set a new NBA record with 286 three-pointers made in a single season.
The Warriors won the NBA championship for the second consecutive season, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games. Curry won the NBA Finals MVP Award and was also named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the first time in his career.
Third Championship and Injury Struggles
In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors made history by becoming the first team ever to win 73 games in a single season. Curry had another strong season, averaging 25.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. He also set a new NBA record with 402 three-pointers made in a single season.
The Warriors won their third championship in four years, defeating the Cavaliers in seven games. Curry won his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP Award and was also named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career.
Despite the Warriors’ success, Curry missed time due to injury. He suffered a knee injury in the first round of the playoffs and a right ankle injury in the second round. He also dealt with a right elbow injury during the regular season.
The Warriors’ Dynasty Continues
Curry has continued to be an integral part of the Warriors’ success. He has led the team to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, and he has won three championships. He has also won two NBA MVP Awards and has been named to six All-Star teams.
In the 2017-18 season, Curry had another strong season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. He also set a new NBA record with 324 three-pointers made in a single season. The Warriors won their fourth championship in five years, defeating the Cavaliers in four games.
Conclusion
Stephen Curry has been one of the most successful and iconic players in NBA history since joining the league in 2009. He has led the Golden State Warriors to unprecedented success, winning three championships and making four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. He has also won two MVP Awards and has been named to six All-Star teams. His shooting ability, ball-handling skills, and incredible range from beyond the three-point line have made him one of the greatest players of all time.