Although the disappointment of that Golden State Warriors' playoff taking away was still fresh, Stephen Curry stepped for the podium after Game 6 and confidently asserted he and his team is usually even better in this 2013-14 season.
While it might be hard to assume how Curry—a guy who just finished making more three-point shots available as one season than anyone in the history of the NBA—could generate an appreciable leap next year, remember: He's only 25 and hasn't had the good a full offseason of work since he was a rookie.
A seemingly endless line of ankle injuries, surgeries and rehabilitation periods have turned almost one of Curry's NBA summers into tiresome treks back in health. This time all over, he'll have three-and-a-half months to get results on his game.
When ever asked what areas this individual could improve, Curry specified his strength, quickness and ability to reach the foul line. Those might appear like vague goals, but it'd be problematic to peg three right areas on which Curry need to focus. Clearly, he is familiar with where his weaknesses then lie.
What's more, we've already seen confirmation that Curry knows learn how to add things to this game. Anyone who watched his growth within the 2012-13 season knows that he actually got better in the season. And that growth isn't just confined to their numbers—although it's worth mentioning which he improved his field-goal portion by four percent, his three-point accuracy as a result of about one-and-a-half percent and additionally his points-per-game average by way of five full points following your All-Star break.
Numbers tend to be fine, but the subtler changes were what really mattered. Curry's improved aggressiveness, willingness to create their own shots and that fantastic left-handed whip pass which he featured so often in the playoffs all came about throughout the regular season.
Not only did Curry show to be able to grow during the 12 months, he also proved he could adapt within person playoff series. Whether it was learning tips on how to attack a double team or gaining from pressure by driving a lane, Curry made it clear he's in a position to adding new weapons to his arsenal inside of a surprisingly short period.
And now that he won't have to spend half of his summer inside of a walking boot, he'll get an opportunity to do that.
In element to his capacity to help augment his technical techniques, Curry's newfound confidence provides him a great chance an extra chance even better next season. After capturing the hearts with the NBA world with a few of the postseason's most memorable takeover projects, Curry seems to get convinced himself that he really is a star. For a very humble, team-first guy like your ex, it can be hard in the future to that realization—even when all others already knows it.
Curry now has tangible proof that she can carry a group. And if he at any time has any doubts about that over the summer, he will pop in the tape of his couple of 22-point quarters during that playoffs.
Obviously, Curry's capacity take another step toward superstardom is crucial to the Warriors getting a deeper playoff run so next year. But he still might not be alone in their growth.
In what'll be his other NBA season next yr, expect Klay Thompson to improve right along with his backcourt teammate. Though the Washington State product didn't shoot it quite together with he did in your partner's rookie campaign, Thompson definitely proved that he will be a deadly out in the open threat (40 percent because of long range in 2012-13) whenever he's on to the ground.
The Warriors also involved him in a very wider variety of offensive sets a year ago, which showcased Thompson's skills being decision-maker coming off of screens and with the post.
Most importantly, Thompson gradually became that Dubs' primary perimeter defender last year. His length, footwork and surprising extensive quickness should only improve with time.
Plus, Brandon Rush's return with a knee injury that cost him virtually the whole 2012-13 season will bring a pivotal defender and three-point shooter back up in the fold. There's simply no telling how his leg will respond, but if Rush can be anything close to everything that he was just two years ago, he'll immediately join the rotation as a terrific three-and-D sixth man.
And then there's Harrison Barnes, who, at just 20 years old, stands to make the main leap of any Warrior. Everyone saw that he could be a go-to option in the right matchup during the playoffs, as being the rookie scored at minimum 19 points in some different postseason games.
Barnes is athletically unlimited and at times last year, it was evident that he was still figuring out tips on how to harness his considerable natural ability. His ceiling can be tough to project, but it's going to be a borderline stunner any time he doesn't eclipse their postseason averages of 04. 1 points, 6. 4 rebounds and 46 percent shooting within the regular season next yr.
He'll be the Warriors' a lot of versatile offensive player very fast, and if he are able to channel his physical skills correctly, there's also nothing stopping him from being a truly elite defender. This sounds crazy, but if Barnes (and not necessarily Thompson or David Lee) is the Warriors' second-leading scorer following that year, don't be shocked.
It's important to note that there are numerous factors that could stop the Warriors' development around 2013-14. Their financial situation will force them to make a choice from retaining Jarrett Jack (an unhindered free agent) or Carl Landry, who are able to opt out of his contract to evaluate the market.
Those a pair of players were critical to help Golden State's success all of season long, and if young people like Kent Bazemore along with Draymond Green aren't quite prepared to assume much larger assignments, the departure of Jack port and/or Landry could leave a couple of large voids in this rotation.
Golden State hulking center was for no reason healthy in 2012-13, playing with those few, fleeting times when his blown-out leg and balky back felt halfway decent, Bogut metamorphosed the Warriors. In brief stretches in the postseason, he completely centric the paint on the two ends—swatting shots, doling out hard fouls and dunking on whatever moved.
Put simply, he made the Warriors at the very top team when he is healthy enough to also hobble onto the trial. The regular season was nearly an overall total loss for him, and perhaps the playoffs devolved towards a depressing series of painkilling shots and uncomfortable grimaces.
For a person like him, numbers never tell the complete story, but we saw him use 14 points and twenty-one rebounds in Game 6 about the Denver Nuggets. And he averaged 17 rebounds per game with the first four contests within the series against the San Antonio Spurs.
If—and it's a massive "if"—Bogut will have healthy enough to give the Warriors many good games at a period of time, this team is set up to contend next 365 days.
Golden State's season ended as a result of a more experienced, a lot more complete Spurs team. There is no shame in that.
But the point that Curry and the Warriors are already looking ahead, unsatisfied with the past achievements, is a great sign money for hard times. If things break correct, we might eventually appear back at Curry's postgame press conference quite a bit less the end of a great run, but as the minute when everything started.
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