An Assist Away From The Basket

source: SFGate

As the weekend winds down, it has turned out to be one of the most memorable.

• Lunch with a longtime dear friend I don't see often enough. Made it extra special when he offered (I graciously accepted) to pick me up at my office. 

• San Jose State bowlers Darren and Michael Tang bowling in the stepladder finals at the USBC Masters. Fourth seed younger brother Michael defeated Martin Larsen and big brother Darren to lose to Jason Belmonte in the championship match. 

• Set a personal new high scratch series in my last squad at the Chinese-Japanese New Year tournament at 4th Street Bowl.

• Stephen Curry offers big assist during a team timeout. A female fan tried her hand at skee-ball to win some cash. She wasn't doing well and a towel-headed Steph sneaks in for the $5K assist. 

You the man, Steph.

Klay's 11 Treys - Game 6, NBA Western Conference Final - Warriors vs. Thunder

source: Bleacher Report
The Unworthy One - Warriors owner Joe Lacob, Klay Thompson

Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference final takes place tomorrow, Memorial Day in Oakland, California.

Less than a week ago, the possibility to go to Game 7 seemed very unlikely. A scenario eerily similar to the 2012 San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Like the Warriors, the Giants were down 3 games to 1.

Warriors-Thunder Game 5 took place in Oakland, and the Warriors won, 120-111.

Game 6 returned to Oklahoma City. An away game and having been blown out 2 previous times, the Warriors would have to win, or end a record-breaking 73-9 season and go home.

Go home, yes. Eliminated, no.

Oklahoma City held the lead for most of Game 6.  The quieter Splash Brother sinks 11 3-point goals, his most important one, was to take the lead for good at 104 - 101 with 1:35 left in the game. He finished with 19 of his playoff high 41 in the 4th quarter.

This game is adding to the long library of unforgettable games in Warriors franchise history.

Here's a recap:


And, the link to view Bleacher Report columnist Kyle Newport's Joe Lacob video loop.

Wardell Stephen Curry II - 2015-16 NBA MVP (Unanimous)

source: sfgate.com
L: Steve Nash, R: Stephen Curry

It came as no surprise Stephen Curry was named for the second consecutive year as the National Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player. What was surprising was that Steph received all 131 first place votes. Unprecedented, as there is no other NBA MVP that won unanimously.

Timing of the MVP presentation couldn't have been better. Less than 24 hours earlier, Steph returned to action after missing 4 games due to a grade 1 MCL sprain during the first round playoff game versus the Houston Rockets. He would come off the bench for the first time in 4 years.

When Steph came into the game, his shooting was less than stellar, going for 0-for-9.  He missed a driving layup to win the game at the end of regulation. It was in overtime that proved beyond doubt why he's the NBA MVP.  Steph scored 17 points in overtime to lead the Warriors to a 132-125 win. It boggles the mind when you realize overtime is only 5 minutes.

Wanna see it again? With apologies to Paul Allen and Trail Blazer fans, here you go:

Splash Brothers and their Dads

Top L to R: Mychal Thompson, Dell Curry
Bottom L to R: Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry
source: San Jose Mercury News

Fresh off their NBA Championship and in honor of Father's Day, we hear from proud dads Mychal Thompson and Dell Curry, both former NBA players with prominent careers. Congratulations to the Thompson and Curry families. You done good.

Stephen Curry's pre-game workout

source: Golden State Warriors/YouTube

Tonight, the Golden State Warriors go into Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Final versus the Houston Rockets. The Warriors are currently 3-0 in the series. A win tonight will put them into the NBA Finals which begins June 4.

If you've watched any of the Warriors post season games, it's not (pun fully intended) rocket science to see why Steph Curry was selected this year's MVP. So far, he's broken Reggie Miller's record of post season 3-point goals and scored 30 or more points in his last 4 games.

Steph's defense isn't exactly shabby either. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, Chef Steph and teammate/fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson prevented Houston Rockets guard/MVP runner-up James Harden from scoring to end Game 2 with a 99-98 win.

In Game 3, Steph followed his own missed shot and boxed out Rockets center Dwight Howard for the rebound. Curry is 6'3", 185 pounds. Howard is 6'11", 275 pounds. Howard is a 4-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

To get a glimpse of why Steph is a megastar, you have to watch (in awe) and appreciate his pre-game routine. Greatness doesn't happen without practice. Lots of it.

Stephen Curry, 2014-15 NBA MVP - full speech

source: vibe.com

Last week, as many of us here in the San Francisco Bay Area knew would happen, Golden State Warrior point guard Stephen Curry was selected by the National Basketball Association as this season's Most Valuable Player.

In my opinion, it couldn't have happened to a more likable, hard-working, humble guy.

If you're a Steph Curry fan and have 40 minutes to spare, watch the full version of his acceptance speech. It's clear how grateful and appreciative he is to current and former coaches and teammates, Warriors staff and management, friends, and most of all, his immediate family.

Again, congratulations, Steph. We couldn't be any prouder.

Stephen Curry, 2014-15 NBA MVP?

source: ESPN

As of this writing, the Golden State Warriors are 65-15, mostly due to a baby-faced point guard named Wardell Stephen Curry II. Chef Curry has been a one-man highlight reel all season. On April 9, 2015 game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Steph scored 45 points and broke his own 3-point goal record.

MVP. MVP. MVP.
UPDATE****May 4, 2015. Steph receives 100 of 130 first place votes to win the NBA's MVP for the 2014-15 season. He is the first Warrior since Wilt Chamberlain in the 1959-60 (a few months before I was born) season when the Warriors were in Philadelphia. Congrats Steph!

The Redemption Feat: Stephen Curry wins 3-point shootout

source: USA Today

The first time I saw Steph Curry play basketball was in 2008. He was a sophomore at Davidson University playing in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

What immediately impressed me about Steph was, and still very much is his quick-release, soft touch shooting from 3-point range. His relaxed, enthusiastic demeanor makes it so much fun to watch him play.

When the Golden State Warriors drafted him in 2009, it was exciting news. However, I had some concern that his slight build would not hold up well against taller and stronger players in the NBA.

I'm glad I've been proven wrong.

As the Warriors have started out white hot for the first half of this season, much of it has to do with Steph maturing into one of the best players in the NBA.

And that maturity has extended into competing in the 3-point contest held yesterday. I also think ESPN's Kenny Mayne helped. Shown last week, Kenny enlisted the assistance of a 10-year girl, Jaden Newman, and 3 retired NBA players: Robert Horry, Tim Legler and Steph's dad, Dell Curry, aka Papa Bear, to get Steph prepared for the 3-point contest.

If you're a basketball fan and haven't seen it, it's fun and really shows off Steph's style. I've already seen it at least 6 times.