Inevitable, Simple, but still Complex : Dissecting Steph Curry's Heroics vs the Mavericks
Splash Bros on different sides of war for the first time.
Photo by Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images-Reuters
Stephen Curry is really inspiring to watch, like, it’s not a meme anymore. The rest of America got to experience cheering for him for once in the 2024 Olympics. He went from the face of the most infamous team in the past 10 years to someone who people could do nothing but watch in awe. His game last night against an old friend evoked those same feelings.
In Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area since leaving the Warriors, Curry saw himself sharing the court with his Splash Brother in different jerseys for once. Late in the 4th quarter, the Mavericks had a 7-pt lead that would evaporate thanks to some Steph Curry mastery. Let’s watch how he utilized and manipulated screens to perfection to do so.
To go Over or Under ?
I am sure that all of us non-Warrior fans are familiar with the endless screens the Warriors use, especially to get Stephen Curry open for three. The simplest example of this dilemma is the high ball screens that the Warriors use. These are screens that are set a few steps further than the 3-point line, compared to the usual screens set within the arc. This spaces the floor out more and open lanes to the rim. What makes Curry so good at using these screens is that he can shoot the three really well. From anywhere.
Clips from NBA Official Website — Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors, November 13, 2024, sourced from the play-by-play
Draymond Green has made a living off of PNR action with Curry and the play above is a classic example of it. No matter what your stance is on the whole moving screens thing the Warriors always get accused of, you can’t deny how effective it is. In transition, we see Green set a high screen for Curry, who crosses and accelerates to the middle of the court. Grimes goes under, which is a crime against the greatest shooter ever. However, the Mavericks plan to bring Draymond’s defender, a big up to hedge or show on to Curry. Draymond does a “good” job being a moving brick wall and Curry changes directions once again. This means that Lively is to slow to cut the space on Curry and with someone who has the highest level of Limitless Range, that’s basically a wide open three.
Clips from NBA Official Website — Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors, November 13, 2024, sourced from the play-by-play
So going over is better ? Well, probably. So the Warriors have multiple plays to combat this. This is one of them. We see Kuminga come to set a screen and slip to the basket, making him a big threat as a cutter. Dinwiddie goes over and follows Curry to the other side of the court. Where he is met by a brick wall, Kevon Looney. A handoff play that puts the ball in Curry’s hands with momentum against a big. Curry is so good that he is able to make those shots with ease but Looney cutting to the basket was another good option, since that would bring a defender in to him and making the Mavs have to give up either a dunk or open three.
Switches on switches on switches
Even if this was the only Warriors game you ever watched, you can kinda get the idea that the Warriors love getting favorable switches on Stephen Curry that often leads to a three or a double team that opens up the paint for his teammates. Obviously, many teams do the same thing. Screen, screen, switch, switch, bucket. Steph Curry is just so lethal as a scorer that teams kind of have to live with his impossible shotmaking and masterful playmaking even with planned defensive schemes. Here’s an example.
Clips from NBA Official Website — Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors, November 13, 2024, sourced from the play-by-play
First, a Draymond high screen to get his defender, Klay Thompson, onto Curry, a change the Mavericks did to have a more favorable switch than initially having the big get on Curry. Then Looney comes to set a screen to get a slow-footed Gafford onto Curry. Plan failed. He plants his feet the moment Curry rises up for the shot and for anyone else in the world, people would be quick to call it a bad shot. Not for Curry.
Curry didn’t score on that shot, but you did think he was going to because that’s just how good he is. Take this as a bit of foreshadowing for what’s to come.
Kevon Looney Appreciation Checkpoint
Also, just a quick shoutout to Kevon Looney before we let Steph take the reins.
Clips from NBA Official Website — Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors, November 13, 2024, sourced from the play-by-play
We see him set a beautiful screen that has Grimes almost fall to the floor and sees the need to double team Curry along with Gafford. Curry fakes him out and takes an open shot to his standards and we see Looney already taking initiative to box out the retreating Gafford to secure a crucial rebound for his team. Just a great example of knowing your role and taking advantage of what your teammates do for you without even holding the ball. It’s one of the reasons why Looney is 2nd in the league in Offensive Rebounds per game at 4.4 while playing only 16 minutes a game.
Night Night
Everything we have talked about so far come together for another stretch that will be part of Stephen Curry highlight tapes for years.
Clips from NBA Official Website — Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors, November 13, 2024, sourced from the play-by-play
Dubs down 4 with under 3 minutes left. Wiggins high screen, Luka onto Curry. Draymond screen, Gafford (poor guy) on Curry. Curry rises with what seems like no space. Don’t matter, swish.
Clips from NBA Official Website — Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors, November 13, 2024, sourced from the play-by-play
Next, Dubs down by 1 with under 2 minutes left. Doncic on Curry. Draymond frantically comes to screen. Lively anticipates Curry going to the middle for the mismatch and has one foot past the arc. Doncic expects the same. Curry speeds past Doncic to the cup. No big in the paint ? Easy signature layup for the lead. Dubs up 1.
Clips from NBA Official Website — Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors, November 13, 2024, sourced from the play-by-play
The Lullaby.
Dubs clinging to that 1 point lead with 30 seconds left. Doncic on Curry. Doncic knows a thing about taking a mismatch for dagger threes. However, he sees Draymond Green coming to set the screen, and Green succeeds in taking Doncic with him to the paint, leaving Lively (poor guy) on an island with the greatest shooter in the world. Curry dances, gets Lively to buckle for a split second, and rises for the contested shot.
Goodnight.