Steph Curry's 2022 NBA title places him on basketball's Mt. Rushmore

"He wasn't letting us lose. That is all it boils all the way down to. I may inform in his demeanor," Curry's longtime Warriors teammate, Draymond Inexperienced, mentioned after the Recreation 4 victory.

On Thursday, the Warriors clinched the 2022 NBA title with victory over the Celtics in Recreation 6 of the Finals, securing Curry yet one more ring and his legacy as an all-time nice.

The title is his fourth in eight seasons however is arguably the 34-year-old's most spectacular and -- along with his first Finals MVP award -- cements his legacy as one of many 10 finest gamers in league historical past amongst esteemed firm.

"However to have the chance to go for a fourth (championship), and to perform this purpose, too, God is nice," Curry mentioned concerning the Invoice Russell trophy. "Simply glad I received to do it."

Altering the sport

Since becoming a member of the league in 2009, Curry has virtually single-handedly modified the way in which basketball is performed. Groups at the moment are more and more prioritizing their three-point taking pictures, whereas potential NBA gamers arrive within the draft with effectively fashioned long-range taking pictures.

However for Curry, the grasp of the craft, he confirmed in opposition to the Celtics -- the league's No. 2 protection -- why he's nonetheless the paragon for the three-point, flowing offense that the Warriors and head coach Steve Kerr have turn into so well-known for.

In contrast to in different heliocentric offenses -- Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, for instance -- Curry does not have the ball in his fingers each possession, however do not be fooled, the Dubs' offense all works due to Curry.

He's the Solar within the Warriors' photo voltaic system offense. His teammates revolve round his offensive risk, opening areas regardless that he could not even have the ball and but, even with all defenses slated in direction of him, such is his risk, Curry nonetheless finds methods to attain.

Though his NBA document run of 233 video games with not less than one three-pointer got here to an finish in Recreation 5, simply his presence on the court docket is sufficient to terrify defenders.

Not content material with remaining in a single place on the ground, Curry can typically been noticed sprinting round with out the ball making an attempt to relocate to a spot the place he can get a shot off. And this movement, and the correct passing of Inexperienced, has led to not solely large successes for the Warriors, but it surely has reworked the league.

For the Warriors' core -- Curry, Inexperienced, Klay Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr -- it is their fourth title and, arguably, their most spectacular.

'I don't wish to be scripting this'

November 19, 2020, introduced the information Warriors followers did not wish to hear.

It will be the second season in a row that the star taking pictures guard could be lacking, having torn his left ACL in Recreation 6 of the 2019 Finals.

Within the two seasons that he missed, the Warriors went 54-83, together with lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2012. Between accidents to Curry and Inexperienced and the passing sands of time, it appeared just like the unthinkable could be taking place: the Warriors dynasty may very well be coming to a screeching halt.

Nonetheless, just like the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs sides that Kerr performed for, the Warriors rebuilt.

By means of some savvy transactions and shrewd draft picks, the beforehand bare-looking core was immediately surrounded by a heap of gifted and expert energetic gamers.

With the return of Thompson and the accession of a number of the kids, comparable to Jordan Poole, the crew has made an inconceivable return to the Finals, leaving a solid of All-Stars of their wake.

However, with out the offensive magnetism Curry offers, perhaps it might by no means have occurred.

Legacy

For somebody who has reworked the NBA so comprehensively, the previous two months have been a clinic for Curry.

He averaged over 27 factors and roughly 5 rebounds and 6 assists whereas persistently being the main target of the league's most stout defenses.

And though he is actually one of many league's best gamers, given the distinctiveness and success of his model of play, this 2021-22 season has been the icing on his future Corridor of Fame profession.

Whereas he is nonetheless a method off the league document for championship rings -- Invoice Russell has a exceptional 11 from the legendary Boston Celtics crew of the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties -- he has now drawn stage with such luminaries as LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Robert Parish on 4 titles.

The argument about who's within the prime 10 NBA gamers of all time has gone on for years and can go on for a lot of extra.

However, such was his impression within the playoffs and the season as an entire, Curry must be positioned amongst these elite names.

Regardless of having an illustrious profession earlier than this season, with three championship titles and two league MVP awards to his identify, this yr's triumph could be his crowning jewel.

Corridor of Fame level guard Isiah Thomas mentioned that Curry's Finals MVP "helps" his legacy.

"As (Boston's) Cedric Maxwell mentioned to me the opposite evening, he goes: 'There's 32 NBA Finals (MVPs). I am one in every of them,'" Thomas informed ESPN.

"I am one in every of them, too. On the finish, it does matter. It helps. Steph's legacy is already cemented, by way of what he is accomplished for the sport, how he is improved the sport, and what he is accomplished making all the children wish to play the sport (the way in which he does). He is pushed the sport ahead."

Curry joined some esteemed firm along with his Thursday evening haul. Earlier than Recreation 6, solely 5 gamers had 4 rings, a number of league MVP awards and a finals MVP: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Duncan.

Now, there are six gamers with Curry.

Jordan and James are, by consensus, the 2 finest gamers in NBA historical past. However may Curry be No. 3? Is Curry the league's best ever level guard?

They aren't loopy options to make -- they usually're conversations that may begun available.