The NBA Storm: Curry's Decline and the Struggling Warriors
Introduction: Why are the superstars not performing anymore? The NBA has some explosive news!
Hey, basketball fans! The NBA is the most passionate place in our hearts as sports enthusiasts. The intense collisions on the court and the super performances of the stars always get us so excited that our hearts race. But now, the league situation has changed dramatically, becoming a fierce competition among many teams, with old stars and new faces playing together. However, there is something surprising to tell you all: although the popularity still focuses on the established stars like James, Curry, and Durant, there are many problems on the court! The game pace is so fast that it feels like the wind is blowing, everyone relies on shooting for points, the physical confrontations are soft, lacking strength, and the entertainment value is dropping rapidly. Even the dunk contest and the All-Star Game are getting worse year by year, which is really boring to watch. Today, let's focus on the legendary superstar Curry, how did he fall from the sky to the "ground," and how did the Warriors, who looked so powerful, become shaky and about to sink? There are many suspenseful moments, follow me to take a look!
I. The Twilight of the Old Stars: Behind the Glamour Lies Trouble
(1) James: Still Super Strong at Forty
James entered the league in 03 and just turned 40. He is undoubtedly a "veteran" in the league. On the court, he can still average 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game, which is outstanding even among young players. He is like an experienced general on the battlefield, leading the team forward and directing steadily. However, time does not spare anyone. Although his statistics are impressive, he gets tired after running for a while in the game, and his physical strength is obviously not as good as before.
(2) Durant: Injuries Keep Interfering, Feeling a Bit Powerless
Durant debuted in 09, and his offensive firepower used to scare opponents. But now, minor injuries keep popping up, frequently entering and leaving the injury list. Although he can still score on the offensive end, his signature unstoppable jumper occasionally makes the whole audience cheer, but his speed and agility are not as smooth as they were at their peak, and he often fails to keep up with young players on defense, being easily passed by them, which makes fans very worried.
II. Curry's Sorrow: From a Sharpshooter to a Dilemma
(1) Cause: Blocked Everywhere, Curry Is Trapped
Everyone knows what style Curry plays with, basically relying on his incredibly accurate shooting. But this season, he has completely changed on the offensive end, struggling with everything! His touch is as changeable as a child's face, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Why is that? On the one hand, the Warriors lack someone who can consistently score, and once Thompson left, opponents all focused on Curry, putting him under great pressure, and his statistics not only didn't increase but decreased. Moreover, the team's tactics have changed, the offensive pace has accelerated, and Curry has to run around the court without getting the ball, panting and consuming a lot of energy. Also, the Warriors' court space is too poor, with few opportunities for cuts and fast breaks. It's too difficult for Curry to score, and every time he gets the ball, he faces tight defense from opponents.
(2) Process: Declining Too Fast, Games Are Painful to Watch
In the previous two seasons, there were signs that Curry was not doing well, mainly because his athletic ability and breakthroughs were not good enough. He could occasionally go in for a dunk before, but now it's almost never seen. This season, his physical fitness has collapsed, and his scoring on the offensive end has dropped sharply, like sliding down a slide. Take the game against the Grizzlies as an example, Curry played for 24 minutes and only scored 2 points, shocking the whole audience. Is this still the Curry who used to be infallible beyond the three-point line? Watching him miss shots again and again, that lost figure makes people feel really uncomfortable.
(3) Opinion: With a High Salary but Poor Performance? What Should Curry Do?
Curry is currently earning 56millionayear,stillthehighest−paidplayerintheNBA!Inthesummerof21,hesignedafour−year,215 million contract extension with the Warriors, and this summer he renewed for another year at $62.58 million. He hasn't earned less. But looking at his performance, compared to players in the same salary bracket like Jokic and Embiid, the gap is significant. Jokic is wreaking havoc inside, able to pass and attack, while Embiid has super dominance, scoring and rebounding well. As for Curry, although he doesn't rely much on his body to play, his data decline in the later stages of his career is too obvious. Following this trend, he may not be able to play until such an old age like James. Moreover, Curry himself said that the fun of the game is the most important thing. If he can't find joy on the court, he might quit playing anytime, which has made the fans' hearts rise to their throats.
III. The Warriors' Predicament: Will the Luxury Battleship Capsize?
(1) Poor Win Rate: A 50% Win Rate, Continuously Declining
The Warriors' record this season is terrible, with a win rate of only 50%. They have lost 12 out of the last 16 games. How can this be a championship team? Fans watch each game with bated breath, hoping that the Warriors will dominate, but as soon as the game starts, their team is suppressed by the opponent, the offense is inaccurate, the defense is full of holes, the players' morale is low, and the coach paces anxiously on the sidelines.
(2) Failed Recruitment: New Players Don't Measure Up, Hopes Fade Away
During the offseason, the Warriors made great efforts, key recruitment of Hield and Schroder, hoping to add some momentum to the team. However, these two performed terribly. Hield can't shoot three-pointers accurately and misses open shots, while Schroder's offensive organization is chaotic, the ball stops moving when it gets to him, and he sometimes gets confused and plays recklessly, failing to integrate into the team's tactics, which has angered the management. They spent a lot of money, but got two "dragging behind."
(3) Hard Battle in the Division: It's Too Difficult to Break Out of the West
The Western Division is competitive like a battlefield, with many strong teams eyeing the playoff spots. With the Warriors' current state, it's too hard to make it into the playoffs. Teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers are in great form, with solid reinforcements and deep rosters. The Warriors will have to work very hard to break through the encirclement. The players will have to fight hard, and the coaches will have to come up with great tactics; otherwise, this season is likely to end early.
Editor's Words: Heroes Have Their Difficulties, What to Do in the Future
After watching Curry and the Warriors' ups and downs, it's really not easy to bear. Curry used to bring us so many exciting moments, those super long-range threes, reversing the game, making us jump off the couch in excitement. But now, seeing him trapped, we really hope he can rise again. However, reality is cruel, with age, injuries, and team tactics blocking the way. The Warriors are the same, spending a lot of money to return to the top, but things don't go as expected. But this is the charm of sports, there are times of glory and times of failure. What we fans can do is to continue supporting them. Who knows, maybe one day Curry will adjust his state, the Warriors will gel well, and they will stir up a storm in the league again. They are encountering difficulties now, but as long as they don't give up, there is still hope in the future, isn't that the truth? Let's wait and see if they can return to the path of glory.