Warriors’ Stephen Curry Expresses Confidence in Seamless Fit with Chris Paul
The Golden State Warriors are embarking on a new season with a fresh look, fueled by the addition of Chris Paul during the offseason. However, there have been lingering concerns about how Paul’s style will mesh with the team’s existing star players, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Warriors, under the guidance of coach Steve Kerr, emphasize ball and player movement over the pick-and-roll, a departure from Paul’s previous style of play that revolved around his ball-handling skills.
Despite these concerns, one person who isn’t fretting about the fit is Stephen Curry. Fresh off a remarkable season, Curry recently shared his thoughts on the budding partnership with Paul, highlighting the positive chemistry between them.
“It’s incredibly enjoyable,” Curry said of sharing the court with Paul. “I grab a rebound and start the transition; I can confidently push the ball ahead, knowing he’s adept with it. He consistently makes the right decisions. He’s been outstanding at catching and shooting when the opportunity arises, and he moves effectively without the ball. It’s remarkably smooth, to be honest.”
Chris Paul has a track record of playing alongside other superstar guards, and history suggests that adapting to Curry’s presence won’t pose a significant challenge. In his past experiences with James Harden, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Devin Booker, Paul’s teams achieved significant success while sharing the court.
The conventional notion of “there’s only one ball” has never been a roadblock for Paul, who has developed into an elite spot-up shooter. His catch-and-shoot efficiency last season with the Suns ranked in the 98th percentile, and he excelled in spot-up situations, ranking in the 94th percentile, according to Synergy Sports. Paul knows how to contribute without constantly having the ball in his hands.
However, as Curry pointed out, the main challenges may arise on the defensive end. Given their relatively modest stature, with Paul standing at an even six feet and Curry at 6-2, they could face difficulties when defending against larger, stronger guard pairings in the league, particularly in high-stakes playoff scenarios.
“Matching up defensively poses its challenges, ensuring we maintain a strong defensive presence and adapting our approach based on the other three players sharing the court with us, whoever they may be,” Curry explained. “Rebounding is crucial, and there’s a need for meticulous attention to mechanics and reading the game early to secure rebounds effectively. The specific matchups will depend on the game and scouting reports, and we will be able to adjust accordingly.”
Paul, a nine-time All-Defensive selection, will rely on his basketball IQ and unyielding determination to compensate for any physical decline. In contrast, Curry, at 35 years old, has continually improved his defensive skills while adding muscle during the latter part of his career. Additionally, they will have the support of defensive stalwarts like Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney when sharing the court.
Observing how Chris Paul integrates into a Warriors team aiming for another championship will be one of the most captivating storylines of the early 2023-24 season. The season kicks off on October 24 when Golden State hosts Paul’s former team, the Phoenix Suns, and fans can get a preview during the first preseason game as the Warriors face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
“That’s the beauty and challenge of our roster,” Curry stated. “Each lineup we put out there has its strengths and weaknesses. We need to be adaptable as we progress through the season.”
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