Steph Curry Is Inevitable: Dread It, Run From It, Destiny Arrives All The Same

Ezra Shaw. Getty Images.

While the first Play In game of the night between ORL/ATL served as a good appetizer, everyone knew heading into Tuesday night that the main course was GS/MEM, and boy did it deliver. It was pretty clear given how hard both teams were playing that both GS and MEM had zero interest in earning the privilege of playing OKC in Round 1 and were going to fight like hell to end up on the other side of the bracket. There's also the threat of having an off night against the 9/10 winner, and the next thing you know, your season is over.

Aside from the Warriors ultimately pulling out the 121-116 win and their fans getting their first look at Playoff Jimmy (18 FTA!!), this Play In game was also a reminder that once we get to this part of the season, Steph Curry becomes inevitable

I did my best to warn you that this was coming during the year, as the signs were staring us right in the face as long as you knew where to look

and now here we are. Let me ask you, did that performance by both Steph and the Warriors look familiar to anyone? It should, because we've seen those demons before. 

I'm trying not to be a prisoner of the moment, but I struggle to think of a player who instills more fear and this feeling of helplessness, quite like Playoff Steph. If you were to come up with a list of guys in modern NBA history, it's probably what…..prime LeBron, Prime KD, and Prime Kawhi? And you know what? I'm not sure even they could have you glued to your TV the way Steph does. A lot of people focus on the shot making, but it's also everything that happens before the shot that makes Steph so incredible to watch. The off ball movement is some of the most insane shit you'll ever see, the fact that he is able to have this type of production despite that type of movement and activity makes zero sense, yet it's what makes Steph great. 

I mean, just think about it. Was there ANY doubt down the stretch of this game that whenever Steph got a clean look that he was going to bury it? His back to back 3PM at 1:50 and 1:00 to effectively ice the game was not only thrilling to watch, it was the least surprising result of all time. The entire world knows you have to prevent him from getting a clean look in these moments, he finds a way to get it anyway, and once he does, all that's left is that pit in the bottom of your stomach because you know he's not missing. Not in that moment, not at home, not with the chance to bury his opponent. 

Steph is a killer. A true basketball assassin. When he smells blood, it's over for you, no matter what you try. Poor Scottie Pippen Jr did everything he could to stay with Steph in this game, including grabbing, holding, and fouling every chance he got. Did it matter? No. Of course it didn't, because Steph Curry is inevitable. 

To think he's doing this with a fucked up thumb and at the age of 37 really melts your brain. How much longer is this fuckery going to be a thing? What happened to regression? What happened to acting your age? I've seen this movie before, I've seen what this version of Steph can do in terms of putting a GS team on his back as they go up the Playoff Mountain. Add in the fact that now the Warriors are getting to the FT line, and they are a way more dynamic problem to solve for an opposing defense. Their whole system depends on getting this version of Steph, and from the looks of things, it appears as if we're in for one hell of a run.

Which is also why their first round matchup with the Rockets is so intriguing. The last time they played, Ime & Co had Steph in hell thanks to Amen Thompson's insane individual defense. That series is going to be a war, and not just because of the shit talking between Steph & Ime a few weeks ago. I'll remind you, Steph also ripped a championship away from Ime in 2022 (sigh) doing a lot of the same shit we saw last night. All I know is giving Steph any additional motivation is a death wish, so good luck to the Rockets and Ime, you're going to need it.

And even though on some level it's unfortunate we didn't get OKC/GS in the first round, we are now on track to have a GS/LAL 2nd Round matchup should both advance with a spot in the Final 4 on the line, so that's not the worst outcome.

Selfishly, I'd like to see GS make as deep a run as possible if for no other reason than as a fan, I want to see more Playoff Curry moments. How could you not? It's arguably the best show in sports, and last night was just another example why.