Just three years ago, Golden State Warrior fans wondered if their 7th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft did not possess the potential the team saw in him. Stephen Curry, the young phenom who had led an underdog Davidson College basketball team to prominence in the 2008 NCAA Tournament and 2009 NIT Tournament, sustained repeatedly torn ligaments in his right ankle, which jeopardized his esteemed reputation.

Despite missing chunks of time rehabilitating his ankle, Curry bounced back in 2013 even better than before, improving his average points-per-game and assists-per-game. Though he fell in the first round to the Los Angeles Clippers, Curry even earned a spot on the all-NBA Second Team for the first time in 2014, when the Warriors made the playoffs. Last year, Curry rose to super-stardom, getting the most All Star votes, becoming the fastest player to score 1,000 points, breaking the record for most three-pointers in a single postseason, earning the MVP award, and to top it all off, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Twenty games into the 2015-16 season, Curry has not only picked up where he left off, but seems even better, almost single-handedly leading his Dubs to an undefeated start and the record for the best start to a season in NBA history. With fellow All-Star Klay Thompson struggling early, Curry has excelled in carrying the load, averaging an absurd 32.0 PPG on a 52.4% field-goal-percentage and 45.9% three-point-percentage. In his “worst game” against the Detroit Pistons, Curry recorded 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and a 42.9% 3PT FGP, showing exactly how good he has been so far.

Teams cannot stop him, and if they somehow manage to contain him, they must adjust to the playmaking ability of his teammates such as fellow splash brother Klay Thompson and do-it-all Draymond Green. Curry has redefined the pick-and-roll play, as defenders now have to play up to prevent Curry from shooting but also fall back to prevent Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli from getting to the rim. His shooting is not the only aspect of his game that opponents must stop, as his insane ball-handling and capability to open up lanes and wide open shooters allow all five Warriors on the court to join the scoring party. From deep majestic three-pointers, to sky high layups that oh-so-slightly kiss the top of the backboard, to circus shots from half-court and beyond that always seem to go in, Curry puts on a show like no other.  Every time he plays, fans are in for a thrill.

 
Even in “bad games” when he scores in the 20s, Curry is proving to the league why he is the Most Valuable Player. None of his running mates, such as James Harden(Houston), LeBron James(Cleveland), and Russell Westbrook(Oklahoma City), have come close to matching his numbers. Curry has the hot hand and the Warriors look once again to be front-runners for the NBA title.

Photo Citation: Stephen Curry. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://cdn.slamonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/stephen-curry.png>.