Warriors: Steph Curry right now is better than Kobe ever was

[Killakobe81]

And didn't get the finals MVP?

But I agree, why use Kobe as a standard? It's a pretty low bar to clear and can be read as an insult.

Who cares about media awards. This place is overly fascinated with awards. Curry played the Duncan in 2007 role. Parker was deserving based on output but The Cavs focused their defense on Timmy. Steph could have easily won same as Timmy but wgaf? In 2005 Manu had a case for Finals MVP as did Pau in 2010. The fact that voters chose to give the award last year to Iggy shouldnt matter ...in fact you are one the main whiners that Pau did not get it in 2010 ...but Curry not winning it somehow matters now? He was obviously the best player for the championship Dubs and the folks that overly harp on it seem to be trying to detract from how great Steph is playing.

As for Kobe you always have to take things to far. You go out of the way to throw shots but I have no issue with saying he has been better Offensively than Kobe/durant or LEbron out of the recent eras as MVP's. it's not an insult to Kobe/Lebron or Steph it's just great players being great and if Steph is doing it better than God bless him ...

But my post was saying steph is playing the best that I can recall for a guy coming off a MVP season. when you consider going back the past 5-10 years the MVP's have been Lebron,Rose, Durant, Rose only Lebron has put up a season that is equal to or better following a MVP.in fact rose and durant were hurt soon after. When you consider that only Lerbon and steph have won MVP (recently) and a le in the same year and as great and amazing Lebron has been dont know if he has ever started like THIS ... Don't see how you could argue anyone else. Plus if Steph wins back to back MVP's and happens to win win a le (no lock but looks promising) he would repeat which Duncan has not done and will have more MVP's than Kobe, Dirk, KG, Durant ...it would put him in very elite company and probably make the Op's point valid.

No issues here. Sure he is not a great defender but offensively Steph is in very rare company.

So what he didn't win a Finals MVP? The run last year but the start to this one ... trumps that.

[Killakobe81]

I get the angst but when Kobe was in his prime he was a ing nightmare. He was called the assassin for a reason. I don't think Steph is at that level yet because he needs to sustain his performance and do it in the playoffs as well. We cannot take a decade of great play and whittle it down to a season or even a few games.

This makes sense and I appreciate your honesty here. we are at only the quarter mark of the season and Curry could come back to earth ...he has to right? But As I was saying above I just think this has been the most impressive defense of a le and MVP season (so far) that I can remember. Neither Shaq, KG, Dirk nor Kobe was this impressive the season after they won and Durant/Rose were hurt. Nash won back to back MVp's but most felt Lebron or Kobe deserved one or both of those. CUrry has followed up his MVP season by playing significantly better and really only LeBron comes to mind for me ...but still early.

[Killakobe81]

During this regular season? I agree. Kobe has never had a season this good. Curry's confidence has skyrocketed with that ring. He hasn't coasted either. . .props to him for deciding to try hard to improve and do better despite the le.




We're comparing him to Kobe, not MJ. Kobe tends to be in the Finals himself man.

This.

[DMC]

This makes sense and I appreciate your honesty here. we are at only the quarter mark of the season and Curry could come back to earth ...he has to right? But As I was saying above I just think this has been the most impressive defense of a le and MVP season (so far) that I can remember. Neither Shaq, KG, Dirk nor Kobe was this impressive the season after they won and Durant/Rose were hurt. Nash won back to back MVp's but most felt Lebron or Kobe deserved one or both of those. CUrry has followed up his MVP season by playing significantly better and really only LeBron comes to mind for me ...but still early.

Last year the Warriors started off 16-2 (by December 4th). Are those 2 games really that much more impressive? Not to me. They are playing at the same level they were last year, maybe a touch higher. Everyone gets excited to play offense, the Warriors offense is number 1 in the league. It's the defense that's dropped off though and that's going to have to improve to get back to where they were last season.

I realize they look unbeatable now, but in the grand scheme they are 4 games up on SA who hasn't been really firing on all cylinders just yet. SA has the best defense the league has seen since the Piston days, maybe earlier. Golden State needs to refocus on defense. I've seen them let big leads slip late because they relax. I think part of that has to do with Kerr not being on the sidelines.

All that aside, their 22 game run has been impressive, but at any time in the season the 22 game run is still a 22 game run. Spurs won 20 in a row with 10 of those coming in the playoffs and got backdoor swept because they ran into matchup problems against a team that got their pushed in by the Heat.

[Killakobe81]

Last year the Warriors started off 16-2 (by December 4th). Are those 2 games really that much more impressive? Not to me. They are playing at the same level they were last year, maybe a touch higher. Everyone gets excited to play offense, the Warriors offense is number 1 in the league. It's the defense that's dropped off though and that's going to have to improve to get back to where they were last season.

I realize they look unbeatable now, but in the grand scheme they are 4 games up on SA who hasn't been really firing on all cylinders just yet. SA has the best defense the league has seen since the Piston days, maybe earlier. Golden State needs to refocus on defense. I've seen them let big leads slip late because they relax. I think part of that has to do with Kerr not being on the sidelines.

All that aside, their 22 game run has been impressive, but at any time in the season the 22 game run is still a 22 game run. Spurs won 20 in a row with 10 of those coming in the playoffs and got backdoor swept because they ran into matchup problems against a team that got their pushed in by the Heat.

Agree with a lot of this. But something was gonna slip in a le defense. As you have noted their defense looks less consistent ... and their turnovers cannot be all excused by tempo or pace. IF they want to repeat they need to improve both areas but when they have locked in they have shut down the Clips who although they have issues has been a very good offense when healthy.

Look, you point out there is only 2 game difference between the starts but should be impressed how dominant they have started the season in back to back years. they key is can they maintain.

I was pissed at the 2001 Lakers because they came out slow after we won in 2000 especially at Shaq. But he saved his best for the playoffs, the team followed suits and all was forgiven. Warriors better be sure to save their best for when it matters but outside of that this is impressive.

[DMC]

Agree with a lot of this. But something was gonna slip in a le defense. As you have noted their defense looks less consistent ... and their turnovers cannot be all excused by tempo or pace. IF they want to repeat they need to improve both areas but when they have locked in they have shut down the Clips who although they have issues has been a very good offense when healthy.

Look, you point out there is only 2 game difference between the starts but should be impressed how dominant they have started the season in back to back years. they key is can they maintain.

I was pissed at the 2001 Lakers because they came out slow after we won in 2000 especially at Shaq. But he saved his best for the playoffs, the team followed suits and all was forgiven. Warriors better be sure to save their best for when it matters but outside of that this is impressive.

You look at a Jan Ullrich who's a climber vs a Robbie McEwen who's a sprinter and you wonder who will win a race. If the race was flat and 10 miles I'd take Robbie all day every day but add the mountains and Robbie drops back. Shaq, David and Tim were the climbers back in those days. They start off slow but they build their momentum and by the time the steep climbs come they have a rhythm. Teams that can get out ahead of the peleton before that time might have a chance to wear the yellow, but most likely some climber is going to pick it up in the next couple days. So it goes with basketball.

[ambchang]

Who cares about media awards. This place is overly fascinated with awards. Curry played the Duncan in 2007 role. Parker was deserving based on output but The Cavs focused their defense on Timmy. Steph could have easily won same as Timmy but wgaf? In 2005 Manu had a case for Finals MVP as did Pau in 2010. The fact that voters chose to give the award last year to Iggy shouldnt matter ...in fact you are one the main whiners that Pau did not get it in 2010 ...but Curry not winning it somehow matters now? He was obviously the best player for the championship Dubs and the folks that overly harp on it seem to be trying to detract from how great Steph is playing.

Sure Curry had a case, but if it was a historically great run, I would imagine he should have been the unquestioned best player on his own team. How can anyone on his own team have a case against him as the best player on the team if he was on a historic run?

As for Kobe you always have to take things to far. You go out of the way to throw shots but I have no issue with saying he has been better Offensively than Kobe/durant or LEbron out of the recent eras as MVP's. it's not an insult to Kobe/Lebron or Steph it's just great players being great and if Steph is doing it better than God bless him ...

Point is, many current MVPs were better than Kobe's peak, when you taking into account both offense and defense. Why use Kobe as the standard? It's not that impressive.

It's like saying I got this great car that is better than a souped up Honda Civic. It's true, but doesn't really convey a sense of dominance.

But my post was saying steph is playing the best that I can recall for a guy coming off a MVP season. when you consider going back the past 5-10 years the MVP's have been Lebron,Rose, Durant, Rose only Lebron has put up a season that is equal to or better following a MVP.in fact rose and durant were hurt soon after. When you consider that only Lerbon and steph have won MVP (recently) and a le in the same year and as great and amazing Lebron has been dont know if he has ever started like THIS ... Don't see how you could argue anyone else. Plus if Steph wins back to back MVP's and happens to win win a le (no lock but looks promising) he would repeat which Duncan has not done and will have more MVP's than Kobe, Dirk, KG, Durant ...it would put him in very elite company and probably make the Op's point valid.

No issues here. Sure he is not a great defender but offensively Steph is in very rare company.

So what he didn't win a Finals MVP? The run last year but the start to this one ... trumps that.

But it's not really a historical season though, was it?

[Killakobe81]

Sure Curry had a case, but if it was a historically great run, I would imagine he should have been the unquestioned best player on his own team. How can anyone on his own team have a case against him as the best player on the team if he was on a historic run?



Point is, many current MVPs were better than Kobe's peak, when you taking into account both offense and defense. Why use Kobe as the standard? It's not that impressive.

It's like saying I got this great car that is better than a souped up Honda Civic. It's true, but doesn't really convey a sense of dominance.



But it's not really a historical season though, was it?

yes it was. He led a team to a historical regular season and they win the le. So not winning the Finals MVP changes things? Media award or not winning the MVP requires two things: a great rergular season and media support. That awrd is judged over 82 games. the Finals MVP is based off as little as 4 or as many as 7. Although of course when you factor weight and meaning a Finals MVP is impressive ...but the regular season one is the better test of who is truly great which I know is crazy because you know I care about rings but hear me out ...

No offense to to Kiwi, Iggy Parker or Chauncey but there is a good chance that none of that group will EVER win a Regular season MVP. And there is a good chance that 2 of those 4 dont even get serious HOF consideration. I started watching hoops in the 80's. Off the top of my head Rose is the only MVP that is not a a lock for the HOF. Parker probably sneaks in and Kiwi is off to a good start but I doubt Billups or Iggy makes it.

By that alone it shows you winning a Regular season MVP although a bull award just like Finals MVP is much harder to achieve. Winning the MVP and then wining the le is what matters most not adding another media award Finals MVP is the icing on the cake.

Steph is the best player on the team Period. Iggy was given bonus points for defending LeBron and hitting some clutch shots. IF Bowen had scored a bit more by that logic he should have won the Finals MVP in 2007.But you know what I dont care that Iggy won. He was a team guy that came off the bench it was great story and the media loved it.

[DMC]

yes it was. He led a team to a historical regular season and they win the le. So not winning the Finals MVP changes things? Media award or not winning the MVP requires two things: a great rergualr season and media support. That is judged over 82 games. the Finals MVP is based off as little as 4 or as many as 7. Although of course when you factor weight and meaning a Finals MVP is impressive ...but teh regular season one is the better test of who is truly great which I know is crazy because you know I care about rings but hear me out ...

No offense to to Kiwi, Iggy Parker or Chauncey but there is a good chance that none of that group will EVER win a Regular season MVP. And there is a good chance that 2 of those 4 dont even get serious HOF consideration. I started watching hoops in teh 80's. Off the top of my head Rose is the only MVP that is not a a lock for the FOF. Parker probably sneaks in and Kiwi is off to a good start but I doubt Billups or Iggy makes it.

By that alone it shows you winning a Regular season MVP although a bull award just like Finals MVP is much harder to achieve. Winning the MVP and wining the le is what matters most not adding another media award.

Steph is the best player on the team Period. Iggy was given bonus points for defending LeBron and hitting some clutch shots. IF Bowen had scored a bit more by that logic he should have won the Finals MVP in 2007.But you know what I dont care that Iggy won. He was a team guy that came off the bench it was great story and the media loved it.

What is the FOF? got of Fame?

[ambchang]

yes it was. He led a team to a historical regular season and they win the le. So not winning the Finals MVP changes things? Media award or not winning the MVP requires two things: a great rergular season and media support. That awrd is judged over 82 games. the Finals MVP is based off as little as 4 or as many as 7. Although of course when you factor weight and meaning a Finals MVP is impressive ...but the regular season one is the better test of who is truly great which I know is crazy because you know I care about rings but hear me out ...

I agree with you that the regular season shows who is the best player on a team. And that's why MVPau was the true leader of the lakers because he had better advanced stats than Kobe in the regular season for both championship seasons.

No offense to to Kiwi, Iggy Parker or Chauncey but there is a good chance that none of that group will EVER win a Regular season MVP. And there is a good chance that 2 of those 4 dont even get serious HOF consideration. I started watching hoops in the 80's. Off the top of my head Rose is the only MVP that is not a a lock for the HOF. Parker probably sneaks in and Kiwi is off to a good start but I doubt Billups or Iggy makes it.

Bill ups have a shot. Probably not first ballot but I think he eventually makes it like Dennis Johnson.

By that alone it shows you winning a Regular season MVP although a bull award just like Finals MVP is much harder to achieve. Winning the MVP and then wining the le is what matters most not adding another media award Finals MVP is the icing on the cake.

I think you got concepts mixed up. Regular season mvp is a better indicator of greatness than a finals MVP. You get no arguments from me on that. But if a player fails to win the finals MVP in the same year he won the MVP and the le, you have to question how this can reasonably be considered historical.

Steph is the best player on the team Period. Iggy was given bonus points for defending LeBron and hitting some clutch shots. IF Bowen had scored a bit more by that logic he should have won the Finals MVP in 2007.But you know what I dont care that Iggy won. He was a team guy that came off the bench it was great story and the media loved it.

No question curry was the best player, but he was challenged, even for a series, as the best player on a team and that can't be called historical.

It's either his team was stacked (which it was), he wasn't having a historical run, or both. I think it's both.

[JohnnyMax]

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