Because the big players prove their presence on the big dates, and because the position of his team, the Golden State Warriors, also forced him to do so, as he faced a second and third straight loss to the Boston Celtics. and thus away from the NBA title, Stephen Curry had his best ever Game A in the final round on Friday in Boston.

Despite helping his team win three titles (2015, 2017 and 2018), Curry was never named the best player in those final rounds. That’s not to say he didn’t look great, but he has made very good appearances on numerous occasions, but his teammates Andre Iguodala (2015) and Kevin Durant (2017 and 2018) have been more determined and consistent.

The trait of a player unable to level up in important matches was shared even by playmaker Corey, who nevertheless was voted the best player in the regular league in 2015 and 2016.

No one knows if his fourth title in his sixth Finals in eight years awaits him because, despite an impressive 2-2 draw, Boston, which plays well outside its rules, could win again on Monday in San Francisco. in the fifth game. , The title will be decided on Thursday at home in the sixth game. But Corey set himself the task of being the best player in the series at the moment.

The only player named Final Round MVP despite his team losing the title is Jerry West of the Lakers in 1969. There is no doubt that “Warrior” Corey would rather not join this isolated state…

– amazing level –
Obviously, the numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they testify to Curie’s amazing level. Before the game with Boston, he averaged 26.5 points per game in the last rounds, 39% of 3 points. After four games, he was averaging 34.3 points, including 49.1% off the grid.

His 43 points (7 3-pointers in 14 attempts) dwarfed Berkane TD Garden on Friday, especially in the third quarter, which witnessed his remarkable brilliance as he scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers in five attempts. And in the last quarter, when Boston usually shines, Corey managed to find a new breath to complete his mission by adding ten points.

Fantastic performance by LA Lakers “King” LeBron James praised with a tweet: “The captain is crazy pissed!!!”.

According to the history books, Curry is behind the King in scoring, as at 34 years and 88 days, he became the second-youngest player to score at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in the final game. James was 35 years and 284 days old when he did the same in 2020 with the Lakers against the Miami Heat en route to the title.

– On top physically –
Teammate Draymond Green said: “He put us on our backs. He didn’t let us lose. In the end, everything depends on him. He showed why he is one of the best players in basketball.”

Another colleague, Klay Thompson, who returned this season from a horrific injury and formed the Splash Brothers forward duo with Corey, believes that the latter “may have just had the best performance of his professional career in the final round, moreover, in a match where the victory was necessary.”

“He is one of the toughest players I have ever played with. No matter how the opponent defends against him, he continues to do what he is good at.

All this 48 hours after he injured his left leg in what was ultimately not a serious issue but cast doubt on whether he could achieve his full potential in Game 4 in Boston on Friday.

His trainer Steve Kerr said: “To put it simply, what he did was amazing. Boston has the best defense in the league. Despite all this pressure with every ball, Steve kept his composure and could defend himself. I think this is the greatest physical strength. he showed his career and that allows him to do what we saw tonight.”

This impressive level is even more impressive as Curry seemed to be lagging behind since becoming the top scorer in league history with three points. Christmas was coming up and the feat made him relax as he finished the season with a 38% average in threes, the lowest level of his professional career.

Perhaps he felt that the best was coming, and that he should spare his strength before the appointed time …

When asked about his “outstanding performance” ranking, Corey was reluctant to expand, saying only, “I don’t rate my performance, I just want to win.”