Curry Answers the Doubters

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April 15, 2010WARRIORS PAGEWARRIORS VIDEO

Lets try to remember some of the questionsCan he get his shot off at the NBA level? Can he defend bigger point guards? Is he a true point guard? Is he strong enough to compete for a full season?

Thats just a sampling of what Warriors rookie Stephen Curry heard before the season began.

Now, there seems to be only one question: How good can this kid be?

Well, if the final game of his rookie season is any indication, Currys going to be pretty darn good. Already is, in fact. Wont be long before hes the face of the franchise -- if he isnt now.

Curry had a career-high 42 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the Warriors 122-116 win over Portland on Wednesday, putting the finishing touches on a remarkable season.

Can Curry play with the big boys? You better believe it. Currys numbers speak for themselves -- 17.5 points and 5.9 assists per game . But his game is about far more than just numbers.

Hes turned into a leader for the Warriors, and the intangibles he has in his game are difficult to measure yet impossible to ignore. Coming out of Davidson, many wondered whether the wispy Curry could get his own shot, particularly because he didnt shoot the traditional jumper.

But hes proven that not only can he get his shot, he can get it anytime he wants. Currys ability to keep his defender off-balance is one of his greatest strengths, and hes got answer for defenders with size or speed or strength.

He can make the simple pass or the flashy pass, but make no mistake: he likes to pass. And while his defense needs to improve, the fact he was among the league leaders in steals shows hes got a defensive instinct at least.

Before the season began, the big question surrounding Curry was whether or not he could play alongside Monta Ellis? Now, the more appropriate question is can Monta Ellis play alongside Curry?

That question will likely be answered this summer when the Warriors weight the merits of trading Ellis. As for all those other questions about Curry, well, he answered every last one of them.

-- Matt Steinmetz

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