Warriors vs Cavaliers: Game 3 NBA Finals - 06.08.16 Full Highlights
CLEVELAND The whistle already had blown and the play was over, but Stephen Curry tried to shoot a layup and LeBron James stuffed it.
None of it counted, but that play in Game 3 was symbolic of how the NBA Finals have gone for Curry: Nothing is coming easy.
Most popular sports storiesThe best shooter in the NBA hasnt been hitting his shots through the first three games of the Finals. The two-time MVP has as many fouls as three-pointers (10) and almost as many turnovers (15) as field goals (17).
StoryLove works out, could be ready for Game 4But before anyone puts out an APB on his whereabouts, Curry has no doubt that h**l show up in this series. Were up 2-1 right now and the story is still unfolding, he said before the Warriors practiced Thursday afternoon.
Its been a strange series for the Warriors. Their All-Star backcourt of Curry and Klay Thompson hasnt played a good game, but even though the Splash Brothers have gone splat, Golden State can take a 3-1 series lead Friday night.
Curry is 17-for-39 with 48 points total and Thompson is 14-for-38 with 36 points. Neither has scored 20 in a game.
The law of averages says Curry and Thompson are due for a big night, and that doesnt bode well for the Cavaliers. They lost the first two games by 48 points even though Curry and Thompson totaled only 55.
The past two seasons, Curry has been the NBAs most unstoppable, most clutch and most popular player. But suddenly he is facing criticism for his disappearing act. He had a series-high 19 points Wednesday night, but the Cavaliers won, 120-90, so he basically was invisible again.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said none of it affects Curry. One of the great things with Steph is hes so grounded, Kerr said. He understands how this process works. If you are in the limelight and youre the one doing the commercials and getting trophies, then youre also in the crosshairs.
Were on the biggest stage and hes had a couple of tough games, so the criticism will come and h**l handle it fine.
Look no further than the Western Conference finals. After the Warriors fell behind 3-1, Curry and Thompson lifted their games to bring the Warriors back. Curry averaged 32.7 points the last three games and Thompson averaged 29.7.
Thats Steph, Kerr said. Thats who he is. He always responds. Hes got a huge heart, competitive as h**l, and extremely talented. I know how he will respond. h**l play well. He always does.
The Cavs are being physical with Curry, running him off the three-point line and making sure defenders are connected to him. But Curry also is missing open looks, which is as uncharacteristic as the foul trouble hes faced.
Curry said he let the foul trouble take him out of the last two games and that he wasnt as aggressive as I needed to be in Game 3.
It wont be that in Game 4, he said. Ive got to stay true to who I am and allow that to carry you through the good times and the Game 3s.
Kerr seemed to get irritated by the many questions about Curry and Thompson and whether he is considering a lineup change. The Warriors won a record 73 regular-season games; Kerr believes they can win two more.
They win a game, now its lineup changes and Oh my G*d, Steph Curry cant play well and whats Klay going to do? Kerr said. All this stuff about, Oh my G*d, what are we going to do? All we have to do is take stock. Were up 2-1. Were in pretty good shape. We havent played that well. Lets play better.
Source: http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/warriors-stephen-curry-not-worried-about-nba-finals-funk-1.11897372
No comments:
Post a Comment