Is Stephen Curry a good defender?
He’s certainly not a terrible one. And there are times when he’s underrated, because criticism is so unnecessarily prevalent.
Take the Golden State Warriors’ Game 5 Western Conference Finals win over the Oklahoma City on Thursday night. Curry didn’t see a ton of time on Russell Westbrook, but on the few possessions he did guard Oklahoma City’s point man, he played him tightly. It’s been that way all series, even with the Warriors struggling.
Consider this:
Per ESPN Stats and Information, Russell Westbrook is 8-of-25 FG with 7 turnovers when Steph Curry is his primary defender in this series.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 27, 2016
Curry also collected five total steals in Game 5, which led one reporter to ask Kevin Durant if he thought Curry was an underrated defender. And it didn’t go down so well, per CBS Sports’ James Herbert:
“Uh, I mean, getting steals, uh, I don’t know if that’s just, um — that’s a part of playing defense. You know, he’s pretty good, but he doesn’t guard the best point guards. I think they do a good job of putting a couple guys on Russell, from Thompson to Iguodala, and Steph, they throw him in there sometimes. But he moves his feet pretty well, he’s good with his hands. But, you know, I like our matchup with him guarding Russ.”
Here’s a video of Westbrook’s reaction to that question, courtesy of The Oklahoman‘s Anthony V. Slater:
Here's that Russ laugh on the question about Curry being an underrated defender via @ESPNNBA https://t.co/qZo67F73SO
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 27, 2016
Look, it’s not on Durant or Westbrook to compliment Curry’s defense. Even after all the work he’s put in on that end, it’s still the weakest part of his game. And while he has improved, it’s not the opponent’s responsibility to bow down at the alter of that improvement.
Still, Russ, Kevin, for the love of everything, why inadvertently poke the bear?
Curry didn’t seem offended by Durant’s response when it was relayed to him, but the last thing the Thunder should want to do, even with a 3-2 series lead, is fuel any part of the Warriors’ fire, however slight. They’re scary enough, even when they’re struggling, without any help—especially Steph.
Game 6 is Saturday night in Oklahoma City. Let’s see if Curry brings defense that moves Durant and Westbrook to something other than unsuccessfully stifled glee.
