Stephen Curry is the most lethal shooter in the league. Meanwhile, Chris Paul is considered the best point guard in the NBA. Now the two are playing together in the Golden State Warriors. Though CP3 has many accolades that prove his mettle, he has yet to get a ring. And with Curry holding the top place at four title wins (tied with LeBron James), it would look like Paul’s wish might come true.
The Warriors won 122-114 over the Sacramento Kings tonight. After a less-than-glamorous loss to the Suns on opening night, this win was a welcome respite. The newcomer Chris Paul also scored a double-double today. So, it was a win-win from all angles for the Dubs. Yet it still begs the question whether the Golden State can bring the trophy home this time.
Three key takeaways from Stephen Curry and co’s game
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As usual, Curry was a dominant force on the court. Though the Sacramento Kings have come back as a better team, they are still not enough to take on Curry when he is on a rampage. And that’s pretty much in all games. As veteran legend Isiah Thomas pointed out once, Curry makes his plays based on the defense. So, no matter what plan you hatch, it all comes down to thinking on your feet when playing against Steph.
On a different note, let’s take a look at three points that might hinder this season’s run:
- Steph scored 41 points in today’s game. If he can maintain this scoring regularly, then there is a very good chance that CP3 will find himself en route to the NBA championship.
- Having Chris Paul in the Warriors lineup makes it too small. Though Paul, Curry, Thompson, and Green are all dominant forces on the court; against bigger lineups like the Spurs, Bucks, or Lakers, the Dubs standing a chance is questionable.
- Another aspect that will give them an edge over other teams will be Chris Paul’s double-double points. To ensure the team can play effectively, Paul’s scoring in doubles or even triples will be very welcome.
When Jordan Poole was traded for Chris Paul, it was in hopes of getting the Warriors’ next title. And in all the years of CP3 playing in the league, his best chances for a ring are Curry and Co.
Considering everything, it won’t be too much of a burden to expect the Golden State to reach the Finals, would it? On a different note, though, the Kings had ended their 16-year playoff drought last season. But they lost to the Warriors in the first round of the 7-game series. So, what now?
The Sacramento Kings are determined to make their mark
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The Kings got to the top place in the offensive firepower because of the combo of guard De’Aaron Fox and center, Domantas Sabonis. But they did lack in defense. So it would be natural that they would focus on improving their all-around defensive skills. Though they are going into the regular season with a championship mentality, reaching that level still requires more time.
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Aside from that, the Kings do have a great roster. Between Fox, Sabonis, and Keegan Murray, Sacramento does look like they have every piece required to make a move in the right direction. Another aspect is the bench that Sacramento has going into this season. The guards include Mitchell, Duarte, Jones, and Ellis. With Mitchell on the defensive end, and him working all summer on his jumper, he can be a lethal option for the Kings.
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So, to sum up, the All-NBA duo Fox-Sabonis, Murray, and Mitchell seem to be the main players to look out for in the Sacramento Kings this season.
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