Steph Curry gets the attention he deserves for a number of highlight plays in any given Warriors game. Monday night, in a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, was no exception. Perhaps the play that garnered the most social media hype was when he used his devastating handles to drop Eric Bledsoe and subsequently drilled a step-back three, one of eight that he made in the contest.
But there was another play that didn't receive as much attention, though I found to be just as, if not more, amazing. It wasn't some crazy three-pointer from 40 feet out. It wasn't a combination of dribble moves that put his opponent on skates. And it wasn't really something new; in fact, Warriors fans are probably used to watching this type of impact from Curry every time he's on the floor. But that doesn't make it any less impressive.
We speak a lot about Curry's gravity, or gravitational pull, or however you want to word it. It's why he's so effective when he's running all around the perimeter, discombobulating the defense as a result of opponents needing to always keep tabs on him. And it's why, in this particular instance, Juan Toscano-Anderson was so wide open for the most efficient shot in basketball: the corner three.
Watch it again. There are five Pelicans defenders on the court. Eric Bledsoe (No. 5), Willy Hernangómez (No. 9) and Zion Williamson (No. 1) all have their eyes on Curry as he brings the ball past half-court. He picks up his dribble and looks to shoot, and all three of those Pelicans react in an attempt to contest or block the three. No problem... Curry pumps, steps through and finds Draymond Green on the lower block before making a cut toward the basket. That give-and-go pulls in Brandon Ingram (No. 14) from the corner and Naji Marshall (No. 8) off of Draymond to meet Curry in case he goes for a layup.
Yes — in a matter of seconds, Curry attracted the attention of Bledsoe, Hernangómez, Williamson, Ingram and Marshall, only to find a wide open JTA in the corner for three. Remember, there are four other Warriors on the floor that aren't named Wardell Stephen Curry II, and who aren't averaging over 31 points per game, and who aren't putting up a strong MVP case despite a subpar team campaign. But, evidently, all you need is one of those guys to wreak havoc throughout an entire defensive formation.
That play may not be the one that shows up on the highlight reel. But that's the Curry effect at its best.
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