The focus was obvious.
Stephen Curry scored 52 points on Tuesday, winning the Memphis Grizzlies 134-125, putting the Golden State Warriors fifth in the Western Conference standings. He made 12 three-point shots on former teammate Klay Thompson’s single-game NBA record.
Curry’s performance was so global that Gilbert Arena stopped his son USC from committing Alijah and playing in McDonald’s national game, following a scoring barrage from the 37-year-old 10 All-Star Guard.
However, given the time to reflect, the curry became emotional. Because he passed the late Jerry West in 25th place on the NBA career scoring list. Of course, West has played his entire 14-year career with the Lakers and is best known worldwide for being the inspiration behind the NBA logo.
However, he also served as a special consultant for the Warriors from 2011 to 2017, during which Curry led the team to two NBA championships. West’s son, Johnny, is the Warriors senior director of the professional rep.
“It clearly meant our memories and what he meant for the league, the world of basketball, our organization when he worked here,” Curry said of West, who passed away in June. “And my relationship with Johnny. I had to talk to him after the game, so I could share what that means to me, my family, and the whole Western family.
“It’s special. Just knowing what his career is and that’s the logo. It’s so special. I’ll keep that ball and put it in a good place.”
Divide the top 25 in career scoring, Curry scores 25,205 points – a feat cherished as he covered the west. Otherwise, it is another rung of the ladder that he continues to climb at warp speed.
In his 16th season, the curry play reduced only the mites. After 52 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals, he averages 24.4 points, 6.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds in games this season.
Career average? 24.7 points, 6.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds.
He predicts he will produce near those numbers for three more seasons – when he turns 40, Curry will approach 30,000 points.
James Harden of the Clippers, currently 11th with 27,527 points, beat Curry to 30,000, while Demar DeRozan is on Curry heels at 25,159.
But Curry reminded him not to chase the record in the fourth quarter Tuesday when he missed a consecutive three-point attempt with Thompson’s Mark. He tapped his chest and apologized to his teammates after the second incorrect shot.
“The first two shots we took in the fourth quarter were a reflection of that,” Curry said. “I filmed it with the first touch, transition. Then I went to the left. I missed both and then I became a bit of a real thing. Even though I was just back in the game, they were the ultimate heat check.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr excused the Starguard for an instantaneous lapse.
“The man is 37,” he said. “Incredible. 52 points where people are covered in all his game. Conditioning.
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