Why Kerr marvels at Steph extending prime of his career

Share

Warriors coach Steve Kerr wasn't surprised to see Steph Curry turn back the clock in his 12th NBA season.

After missing all but five games in 2019-20 due to a broken hand, Curry led the NBA in scoring as a 33-year-old, the oldest to wear that crown since Michael Jordan in 1997-98. Curry also was voted an NBA MVP finalist for the first time since he unanimously won the award five years ago.

Kerr told KNBR's "Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks" that Curry's "spectacular" season was built upon a strong foundation.

"Just the way he takes care of himself in every capacity -- mentally, physically, spiritually -- he just is in such a good place in his life, and he puts all the work in," Kerr explained. "It's amazing to see him continuing to get better."

Curry was "hungry" after missing most of 2019-20, Kerr said, and he "couldn't wait to get back out there" on the floor. That showed, as Curry averaged a career-high 32 points per game -- more than in his unanimous MVP season -- despite facing everything and the kitchen sink.

With Klay Thompson recovering from a torn Achilles, Draymond Green primarily serving as a facilitator and Andrew Wiggins emphasizing efficiency after a half-decade of high usage with the Minnesota Timberwolves, it's an understatement to say the Warriors' offense orbited around Curry. Yet Curry thrived, raising his own unprecedented bar with dazzling displays night after night.

RELATED: Why Lee has murky future following Warriors career

It would've been a marvelous season in 2015-16, when Curry was 28 and in the middle of what was thought to be the prime of his career. That he did so as a 33-year-old was nothing short of remarkable. After changing the NBA by stretching the floor to an unprecedented level, Curry just might be doing the same with his prime years.

"Guys these days seem to be playing deeper into their careers, longer, staying really sharp for longer," Kerr continued. "[There's better] training, more access to better ideas, better everything. Guys like [LeBron James] and Steph, they commit their whole life to that. They extend their career years, their sweet spots, by several extra years, and it's really something to watch."

For nearly a decade, Curry has re-defined what is possible in the NBA. It's no wonder he's doing so again, during the third act of his career.

Just don't bet on it being his last.

Download and subscribe to the Dubs Talk Podcast

Contact Us