At 37, Stephen Curry has defied age and gravity to become the oldest point guard to average 20+ points in a month, breaking Michael Jordan’s record
NBA fans were in for a heartwarmingly pleasant surprise on Tuesday. Little did anyone know that a night of playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies would go on to become a historic one in NBA History. The man of the hour is none other than Stephen Curry, a name synonymous with skill and greatness. Proving that his legacy is still being written, Curry took the Golden State Warriors to a much-needed victory, breaking the legendary Michael Jordan’s record in the process.
On the night he surpassed Jordan’s record, fans at the arena and millions watching from home were treated to yet another classic Curry performance. From his signature three pointers to back-to-back shots, Curry left no stoned unturned to give his personal best. Most importantly, he achieved all the while struggling from a right thumb strain, a fact which has made his record even more significant.
A Night to Remember: Curry, Jordan and the making of history
Curry’s performance on Tuesday night does not come without context. While there is no doubt about the player’s exemplary skills, the last few months have been anything but easy.
Curry has been under fire for his abysmal performances in the last few games. Beginning with a 0-7 en route to a two-point outing, Curry gave a 10-point followed by an 11-point game. While his average has been solidly maintained, people expect far more from a player of Curry’s caliber. Aware of these facts and his own potential, Curry sought to change that in Tuesday’s match, exceeding all expectations.
With regards to his personal record, Curry shot a perfect 8/8 from the three point land, with 12 perfect three pointers. In addition, he also recorded 8 assists and 10 rebounds.
However, the impact of his performance is far bigger, going way beyond his personal victories.
By recording 52 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, Curry became the oldest NBA player to achieve this feat. Most importantly, this means that Curry overtook Michael Jordan’s record for most 30 point games by a point guard over 35. While Michael’s record involved 39 such games, Curry’s performance on Tuesday brought him up to 40. What makes this record even more significant is the number of games both players have played to reach this feat. While it took Jordan to play 171 games after turning 35 to achieve this, Curry overtook him in only 114.
Courtesy: NBA’s official X Handle
Reportedly, Jordan himself has commented on this feat. “Steph is one of the greatest to ever do it,” he said. “He changed the game in a way that very few players ever have. Records are made to be broken, and I have no doubt he’ll keep setting new ones.”
The ‘Curry Effect’ and the building of a legacy.
Breaking records is nothing new for Stephen Curry, but his impact on basketball goes far beyond the numbers. The three-point shot, which was previously thought of as an offensive option is now one of the most important weapons a player could possess. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the court has inspired many young players to develop deep-range shooting skills, and believe in the power of scoring beyond the arch. The shift is such that almost all players are now expected to shoot threes. That is the ‘Curry Effect’
Courtesy: The official X Handle of the Golden State Warriors
If history has taught us anything, it’s that Stephen Curry is far from finished. Breaking Jordan’s record is just another chapter in the Curry legacy. It is a promising story that will continue to unfold, with one amazing shot following another. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned by now, it’s that anything is possible with Stephen Curry.
An avid writer, a passionate reader and a lifetime Basketball fan.
She shares a special bond with the 'sport', precisely because, for her, it is more than just a 'sport'.
They go a long way back and writing about it is just one of her ways to hold it close and share in the love for Basketball.
