The Golden State Warriors have been historically good this season with the best record in the league, but there were still questions about whether they are better than the San Antonio Spurs, who trailed them by just two games in the standings.
Naturally and reasonably so, all the hype was there for an epic showdown between the Warriors and Spurs, who saw each other for the first time on Monday. With the Warriors being the best offensive team in the league and the Spurs being the best defensive team, something had to give and everyone had their popcorn ready to see who would have the bragging rights, at least for now.
Unfortunately for the Spurs, they simply ended up being the latest victim to Stephen Curry’s show and the relentlessness of the Warriors’ attack as a team.
Curry, in particular, essentially toyed with anyone San Antonio put on him, including the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard:
Curry has been lighting up the opposition with vine material all season long, but this one carried magnitude because many questioned whether he could do so against the best defensive team and the most elite perimeter defender in the league. He put those questions to rest with 37 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field to go with two rebounds, three assists and five steals in just three quarters of action. Like he so often does, Curry sat out the fourth quarter with the Warriors leading 95-66 before walking away with a 120-90 blowout victory. Here’s a clip of every Curry highlight from the game, courtesy of the great Dawkins:
Of course, we have some reactions from around the league on twitter:
.@StephenCurry30 scored 15pts in the first qtr against the Spurs, of all teams and every point was exciting! Who does that?! Lol
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2016
I wish I could watch these two teams play 82 times! They are best two defensive teams and best two passing teams.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2016
It’s art, when the Warriors are at their fast breaking best w the ball in Curry’s hand…like Magic’s Showtime…
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) January 26, 2016
Unbelievable https://t.co/z3116oXPTc
— Devin Booker (@DevinBook) January 26, 2016
Good LORD Steph ????????????
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) January 26, 2016
I mean if you’re playing defense on that what are you supposed to do???
— Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) January 26, 2016
FIRE POP! #dontpanic
— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) January 26, 2016
Golden State plays with the same swagger as Cam Newton’s Panthers: They kick your ass, and smile as they do it.
— Tim S. Grover (@ATTACKATHLETICS) January 26, 2016
Damn!……Just DAMN!
— Tom Tolbert (@byronjr23) January 26, 2016
Stephen Curry can average 10pts the rest of the season and win the MVP going away.. It’s not even close..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) January 26, 2016
I honestly think the entire league is paying a price for doubting @warriors Title. I apologized already after 24 straight. @SiriusXMNBA
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) January 26, 2016
When you pass your homie the aux and he puts on E-40. https://t.co/WFPRnjRCap
— Jordan Ramirez (@JRAM_91) January 26, 2016
That’s a tough one. We saw how much we need to work and that’s what we are doing. Thanks for the eternal support everywhere, anytime.
— Boris Diaw (@theborisdiaw) January 26, 2016
Good way to handle business tonight!!!! #dubnation @OracleArena was crazy once again!! congrats to @StephenCurry30… 10,000 points!!!
— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) January 26, 2016
What will they say now!!!
— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) January 26, 2016
Jim Park is a blogger and Tweet of the Night author of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.