Curry shows way in NBA Finals MVP race
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Jun 2018
The third quarter of Game 2 of the ongoing NBA Finals between Golden State and Cleveland last Sunday ended with Warriors guard Stephen Curry landing into the Cavaliers bench after missing a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt from he corner.
Curry nearly stepped on the extended legs of Kendrick Perkins, a 6-foot-10 big man of the Cavs. A verbal altercation ensued between the two before the former?s teammates LeBron James and Tristan Thompson separated them.
Perkins, wearing a suit, was glued on his seat and made no effort to get out of Curry?s way as the Warriors star tried to maintain his balance while stepping backward, Dan Feldman of NBC Sports reported.
That not only irked the smaller 6-3 Curry but, likewise, fired the fleet-footed Warrior sentinel up who responded by sinking five of his evening high nine three-pointers in the payoff fourth quarter, in the process eclipsing the previous NBA Finals record held by Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics since 2010.
Curry went on to produce a game high 33 points and near double figure assists and rebounds and emerged the top candidate for what could be his first Finals MVP award.
He not only put Allen?s eight-year standard to the dustbin, Curry, too, set the all-time record for 3-pointers in the NBA Finals (90).
Warriors' defense specialist Andre Iguodala, meanwhile, told USA Today?s Kyle Trrada during the NBA Finals media day at Oracle Arena that he had completed an individual workout pain-free on Saturday and is close to being cleared to return for the NBA Finals.
It was unclear, however, whether Iguodala can join Golden State's active roster in time for Game 3 at Cleveland on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
Curry?s first Finals MVP has not been secured though. Not until the smoke of battle as to who would be crowned the 2018 NBA champion is settled. Teammates Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson have been playing well, too, and are in striking distance. Draymond Green might also be if we properly valued defense.
But Curry has the narrative, actual production, highlight moments and even trash-talking spirit on his side so far.
LeBron, now second-running with 85 3-pointers, is also still playing in the Finals, although it?s hard to imagine him retaking the record considering that Curry is a far more prolific outside shooter.
Curry has been the Warriors? best player, leading them in points and assists in both Games 1 and 2. More importantly, Curry has helped Golden State take a 2-0 series lead, and it?s extremely unlikely voters would honor a losing player.
Going back to the Perkins? dangerous Ggame 2 third quarter ending play, ESPN reported on Monday that Warriors players were not happy with what happened.
No players were quoted, but the sentiment is clear -- it was a dangerous play by although Curry himself declined to feed the flames of the encounter in the media, sying: ?I?m not going to get into it. No comment.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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