SAN FRANCISCO – Stephen Curry became the points leader in the history of Golden State Warriors on Monday night, beating Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record of 17,783. It is an achievement that even Curry himself still has trouble turning his head over because of Chamberlain ‘s historical significance for the game.
“It’s crazy,” Curry said after scoring 53 points in the 116-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets. ‘Every time you hear his name, it’s scary because you know his records are so hard to do. Some of them are even impossible to obscure, I think. You understand how great he was a player.
‘I can not remember how many games he played as a Warrior, and how many I’ve played before, but to be anywhere near him in a record book or to be on top now, it’s surreal, and it’s wild. Because when you grow up in the basketball game and you hear his name, you know it’s something very special, no matter what it is. ‘
Curry’s record basket was 1:40 left in the first quarter. Curry, who needed just 19 points to surpass Chamberlain, finished 21 in the first quarter and received congratulations from teammates and coaches at the end of the quarter, including a long embrace with longtime teammate Draymond Green.
“We all thought he would find a way to get 19 points tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said with a laugh. “But maybe not in the first term.”
Greatness. pic.twitter.com/Pb8nqWZtFR
– Golden State Warriors (@warriors) 13 April 2021
Curry finished the night 14-for-24 off the field, 10-for-18 from across the arc and 15-for-16 from the free-throw line, delivering the type of dominant offensive performance that determined his career. Curry has become the seventh player in NBA history to record several seasons with three or more 50-point games – the ninth time in his career he has scored 50 or more points.
On Monday, it was also the 18th time in Curry’s career that he scored ten or more three-pointers in a game. Teammate Klay Thompson has the second most such games – with five.
Before Curry’s video conference began after the game began, Warriors Hall of Famer’s Chris Mullin delivered an emotional message to Curry about how much he meant to the organization and thanked Curry for the way he behaved.
“I watched you from day one, and it was just a pleasure and a joy to look at you. Congratulations, of course, but more importantly, I want to thank you for the way you did it. ..you bring so much joy and happiness to the world, and it’s so appreciated, ” Mullin said. “So I just want to say thank you for that … the way you carry yourself on and off the court, just a true role model for young and old. So just want to say congratulations and thank you for being you, Steph Kerrie. ‘
Curry, who sat in front of a video screen with the version ’17 .818 ‘for the number of points he scored as a Warrior, was clearly touched.
“You do not know how much that means, man,” Curry told Mullin. “Respect means so much to me, my family, and I appreciate it. I’m glad I can represent everyone who wore this uniform. The guys who are like you in the beams, it’s crazy. It’s crazy to know what I mean tonight. ‘
Curry, who was selected as the overall number 7 in the 2009 draft, set records during his 12-year stint at Golden State. In addition to his performances on the field, Curry’s shooting ability changed the game, which has always remained with members of the organization – and the league. Curry, who entered a 43.3% career from outside the arc on Monday night, has inspired a wave of younger players at every level shooting from longer distances than ever before.
He was asked Monday night if he thinks much about the impact he has on the game itself.
‘A little,’ Curry admits. “But I think it’s always been one of those situations for me where it’s much more productive to look ahead, to stay in the moment, but to look forward to what I still want to achieve. I understand that the game has changed a lot. I understand that I had a big part in it. It’s not for me to come here and try to articulate it. It’s just to play basketball and enjoy what I do every day, and that’s why I think that good things keep happening, because I’m trying to see what’s next. ‘With whom I can go every day and the challenges of every season.’
In an era defined by the player movement, Curry’s latest achievement is even more impressive for many in the game, as he has stayed at Golden State, repeatedly saying he only wants to wear one jersey in his career.
Kerr noted that a recent trip to play the Dallas Mavericks highlighted the impact Curry had on the Warriors organization.
‘If you play in Dallas now, if you look at the floor, there’s a silhouette of Dirk [Nowitzki] Kerr said he shot his signature at every point of the floor. And I love it, I thought it was a great idea from the Mavericks. It’s such a wonderful way to honor Dirk like that and remember his legacy. I imagine there would be something like this here. Maybe a photo of Steph like holding his mouthpiece or something. ‘