For the past couple of months, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has been on top of the basketball world.
In June, he won his fourth NBA championship while earning his first Finals MVP award after a sensational series.
Instantly, many gave him tremendous recognition, and plenty of people are now saying that he should be considered one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history.
When a great player or team wins multiple championships, each one is won a different way, as the circumstances, opponents and challenges faced are always different.
During a recent interview with Ashley Nicole Moss of Sports Illustrated, Curry was asked whether he’d rather keep the championship he just won or the two he won in 2017 and 2018 with Kevin Durant.
“No, I want this one,” Curry said without hesitation. “No, give me this one, all day everyday.”
It is understandable he would feel that way, as his most recent championship seemed to crystalize his reputation and legacy.
Curry Is Now A Made Man
For years, the Davidson College product has been considered the greatest outside shooter in basketball history, not just because of his accuracy, but also because of his ability to hit shots from insane distances with one or two men right in his face.
He led the Warriors to the 2015 championship, his first, but teammate Andre Iguodala was named the series MVP.
Iguodala didn’t start a single game that season until head coach Steve Kerr moved him into the starting lineup for Game 4 of the Finals, which was when things turned around for Golden State.
As a result, the national media couldn’t resist his narrative, and quite a few also voted for LeBron James, even though he played for the losing team and shot just 39.8 percent for the series.
Many feel Curry got robbed of the Finals MVP award that year.
Stephen Curry not getting a single Finals MVP vote in 2015 was criminal.
Imagine the headlines: "Steph Curry defeats LeBron James, wins Finals MVP". pic.twitter.com/JUXxZcHlNS
— Antonin (@antonin_org) March 14, 2021
In 2017 and 2018, Curry played well during the Finals, but Durant got both Finals MVP awards.
Those rings hurt Durant’s legacy in the minds of many, as it was still Curry’s team, but oddly enough, it also seemed to hurt Curry’s reputation, as he didn’t get the due he deserved for quarterbacking his team to back-to-back titles, something only a handful of superstars have accomplished.
But now, Curry is getting his flowers.
It’s about time, as he averaged 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 43.7 percent from 3-point range versus the Boston Celtics.
Check out the best of @StephenCurry30 in the 2022 #NBAFinals to see the plays that earned him the 2022 Bill Russell Trophy as Finals MVP!
🏆 31.2 PPG | 6 RPG | 5 APG pic.twitter.com/baNC3x67Rj
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2022
The Warriors Had To Go Through Real Adversity To Earn This Ring
In 2019, when Durant tore his Achilles and left the Warriors, it was presumed that their dynasty was over.
Klay Thompson also tore his ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals, while Curry would suffer a severe left hand injury that cost him almost the entire 2019-20 season.
Then, just before the 2020-21 campaign, Thompson tore his Achilles, casting even more doubt on a Warriors comeback.
But the organization used this stretch as an opportunity to develop young talent and do some wheeling and dealing to replenish its supporting cast.
When one accomplishes something profound after going through so much pain and suffering, it feel that much better than when that accomplishment comes easily.
NEXT: Will Jerome Robinson Be The Warriors' Latest Success Story?