The Day Steph Curry Stole the NBA from LeBron James

With his second consecutive MVP, we look back at the day Steph Curry stole the NBA from LeBron James.

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Complex Original

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I remember it like it was yesterday. It was Feb. 27, 2013 and it was an uneventful Wednesday at the Complex offices on W. 23rd St. until a Steph Curry basketball discussion came up towards the end of the day. He was in his fourth year, playing really well, and his frequent ankle injuries seemed to be a thing of the past. I was gassed because he was finally reaching his potential as the most dangerous guard in the NBA. One former co-worker (who shall remain nameless) didn’t feel the same way. While I was praising Steph’s handles, he proclaimed Curry wasn’t even the best player on his team. When I asked who’s the best player on the Warriors, he confidently said David Lee, and I subsequently lost it.

Was my co-worker watching the same guy I’d been watching since he was making people look silly at Davidson? The Warriors were playing the Knicks that night and I said Steph better not go off because the office would not hear the end of it, and that’s exactly what happened. Chef Curry with the pot cooked up a career-high 54 points, adding himself to a list of opposing players to score 50 or more at Madison Square Garden that includes the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant. The Knicks won the game behind Carmelo's 35 points and Tyson Chandler's 28 rebounds, but the flag had been planted; Curry was on his way to becoming the darling of the NBA.

The Knicks won the game behind Carmelo's 35 points and Tyson Chandler's 28 rebounds, but the flag had been planted; Curry was on his way to becoming the darling of the nba.

Golden State won 47 games that year and lost to the Spurs in six in the second round of the playoffs. Three seasons later, Curry has a ring, owns multiple three-point records, led his team to the greatest regular season in history, and is on his way to winning his second consecutive MVP award. The league is Curry's now, has been officially since last season, but he began to take hold after he won our hearts with that performance in New York City. No one remembers the Knicks winning that game, they only remember Curry being so in the zone he shimmied right past Draymond Green's hi-five and into the stands.

LeBron James hasn't recovered from his epic heel turn. The fans needed a babyface to replace him, and who's a more perfect face than Steph Curry, the God-fearing everyman? Just like us, not a giant—the complete opposite of the cyborg that is LeBron James. He even has the kids rocking Under Armour kicks, which is no small task. He's John Cena to LeBron's nWo-era Hogan. The best basketball minds have no clue as to how he's doing what he's doing. Curry has the same effect on the game as Shaq had, but instead of making defenses collapse in the paint, he's making them expand until they snap; same goal, different execution.

Curry has the same effect on the game as Shaq had, but instead of making defenses collapse in the paint, he's making them expand until they snap; same goal, different execution.

I recall arguing with my brother after the game because he said Curry will win a MVP one day. I thought he was out of his mind. He has two now and will more than likely get another ring. His team is doing just fine without him, but to win it all, they need the game's most dominant player. "Most dominant" should be attributed to LeBron, yet that is no longer the case. He had to orchestrate his way to the Finals since forming the "Big 3" in South Beach, Steph's ascension happened more organically. However, Steph has had the good fortune of playing for a better front office and coaching staff while James left a historically good regime in the Miami Heat for a historically bad one in the Cavs. Dan Gilbert is letting James make the basketball decisions, which would've worked had it not been for Steve Kerr deciding to become a head coach.

Barring injury, the NBA is Curry's until further notice. He's only going to continue to improve, as are the Warriors. They may never win 70-plus games again and that's fine—rings are the only thing that matters and the Warriors have rained threes all over Cleveland's parade. LeBron proved his worth during last year's Finals, willing his depleted team to two victories over an inexperienced Warrior team. This year will be different. Golden State knows what it takes to win it all and they are going to the Western Conference Finals without the help of their leader. Once he returns it's business as usual. Steph Curry can't be stopped.

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