“The Baby Faced Champion”

(June, 9th 2015)  By: Ira Barasch 

Stephen Curry is an enigma, wrapped in mysticism and spiced a bit with a dash of awe inspiring, spine tingling, jaw dropping talent. The kid can flat out ball. It's been obvious since he was picked seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2009 and he has been torching the league ever since. The Warriors have slowly built around him, adding key pieces through the draft such Harrison Barnes (2012), Klay Thompson (2011) and Draymond Green (2012). They've also added pieces through free agency and trades such as David Lee, Andrew Bogut, and Andre Iguodala. All of these pieces were put together to fit around Curry and this year, it all paid off.

Although, Curry is in an interesting predicament. He is in his 6th NBA season and has the chance to become immortal. Not many have had this chance, and even fewer have actually accomplished the goal. John Stockton and Karl Malone made the finals in back to back years in 1997 and 1998 and didn't win. However, both are Hall of Famers. Patrick Ewing also never won, neither did Charles Barkley nor did Reggie Miller. Yet they're all Hall of Famers. More modern players would be Steve Nash, and even Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant (though the latter ones still have a shot), all are probable Hall of Famers. The list goes on, and in multiple sports; great player and a Hall of Famer, but without a title. This is what sets the truly immortal elite from the rest. That ever elusive ring. Some switch teams and warm the bench after illustrious careers just to get a shot at one, others create super teams to finally push themselves over the hump. The end goal though is to call yourself a champion. This is what Stephen Curry has a shot at, being elite, being a champion.

The case can be made that this won't be his only shot, that he can make it back here and win a different time, yet that's not always the case. Ask Dwight Howard, or Kevin Durant if they would rather have won on their first try. They got a taste of being on the biggest stage in basketball and haven't been able to get back since. 

This is the distinguishing factor the separates the very good from the truly great. Being the best player on a great team, and winning it all. Adam Morrison (drafted #3 in 2006, in the dictionary under 'total bust') actually has something every single player named in this article would kill for, a championship (granted, he didn't do very much; see video on the left)

Therefore, the Baby Faced Assassin is actually in a perfect situation, with a great team built around him. He now has an MVP and a chance to accomplish what some great players wait their entire career for, yet never can accomplish. It's not a guarantee that he'll ever come back here, or even if he can duplicate this season before an injury hits and sets him back (see: Tracy McGrady and Derrick Rose). After his performance in game 2 of the Finals it has become clear that Stephen Curry has to elevate his game to the next level, and take his place as one of the best players in the NBA. He can possibly  be one of the greatest shooters in history. To do that he must win, and there is no time like the present.