The comeback bid of Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors came up just short on Monday night following Jarrett Jack’s game-winning pull-up, but was still hardly without its highlights. This one’s our favorite.
What are help defenders to do when Curry gets a high drag screen? Play too far back and basketball’s best shooter will drain a three-pointer. Commit too quickly and his canny handle will get him right to the paint. There’s no right answer, of course, and it’s one of the countless reasons why Curry is perhaps the most effective offensive player in the game.
We know all about his shot and handle, but what help makes Steph so great is his series of fakes and sleights. See how he quickly raises his head as Mason Plumlee and Thaddeus Young come his way? That subtle deke gets both players off their feet, clearing the lane of potential shot-blockers and ensuring Curry an easy layup.
Beautiful stuff, as was his entire effort in the fourth quarter. Curry finished with game-highs of 26 points and seven assists in just under 30 minutes of playing time, but couldn’t get a shot off on the game’s final possession as the clock ran out on the Warriors.
The Brooklyn Nets beat Golden State 110-108, regaining eighth-place in the Eastern Conference.
