Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry admits hardest admissions regarding Houston Rockets following Game 7
In Praise of a Tough Foe: Stephen Curry's Respect for the Rockets' Defense
After the Golden State Warriors clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs' second round courtesy of their Game 7 victory over the Houston Rockets, superstar Stephen Curry showed respect to the opponents. Despite the Warriors' victory and Curry's history of dominating the Rockets, he acknowledged that this time around the Rockets presented a formidable challenge.
Curry's first-half performance against Houston was far from his best, managing just three points on seven shots. However, he proved his mettle in the final period by exploding for 14 points. Despite the struggles, Curry went as far as to say, "This Rockets team was one of the toughest defenses I think I've ever faced," as reported by 95.7 The Game.
"Every game was different," an exhausted Curry shared after finishing with 22 points on eight of 16 shooting from the field, four of 10 from beyond the arc, along with 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. "I mean, from their rotations to the scores. It was low scoring for a majority of them, then it became a shooting fest."
Curry elaborated on the defensive challenge, emphasizing the physicality and half-court guarding the Rockets employed. He admired their commitment to limiting his signature patterns and shutting down his half-court moves.
Going the Distance:
With the clinched victory over Houston, the Warriors now gear up for a faceoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1, set to take place Tuesday night. Curry, who impressed despite his struggling performance in the first half against the Rockets, will undoubtedly be a crucial piece of the Warriors' strategy against the Timberwolves.
That said, a notable performance against Houston didn't necessitate a 30- or 40-point outing from Curry, but rather proved his worth through contributions across the box score. He emphasized the significance of staying patient amidst the pressure from Houston's defense, which multiplied in myriad ways, and being aggressive in making winning plays.
The same sentiments of patience and persistence were echoed by his relatively new teammate, Jimmy Butler, who is often regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Despite Curry's rough first-half shooting, the dynamic sharpshooter made his presence felt in the second half, especially in the offensive fourth quarter. Butler's respect for Curry's adaptability and resilience was evident in their exchanges during the post-game.
- Stephen Curry's respect for the Rockets extended to acknowledging their defense as one of the toughest he's ever faced, showcasing the challenges posed by their rotations and physical half-court guarding.
- In the second round of the NBA Playoffs, Curry's impressive performance against Houston included 22 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks, despite a struggling first half.
- As the Warriors prepare for the coming playoffs, Curry will undoubtedly be a key player, evident from his noteworthy performance against the Rockets, which included contributions across the box score rather than relying on high point totals.
- In every game, Curry found the Rockets defense to be different, with a mix of low-scoring games and high-scoring shooting festivals, all of which showcased the resilience he needed to succeed.
- Jimmy Butler, one of the greatest players of all time and Curry's relatively new teammate, echoed similar sentiments of patience and persistence, respecting Curry's adaptability and resilience, especially in the offensive fourth quarter against Houston.
