By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The two-time MVP Stephen Curry stayed ahead of Bradley Beal in the last batch of NBA regular-season games and secured the 2020-21 scoring crown with a 46-point outburst against the Grizzlies.
The 33-year-old Warriors guard entered finished with an average of 32.0 points for the season and has been shooting 42.1% on 12.6 attempts per game from 3-point range this season, a volume exceeding even his MVP seasons in 2015 and 2016.
Earlier this season, Curry claimed the top spots on the Warriors‘ all-time scoring and assists list while also passing Reggie Miller for the second spot on the NBA three-pointers made leaderboard.
Curry became the first player 33 years or older to lead the league in scoring since Jordan in 1997-98 (35 years old and averaged 28.7 points). He also joins Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players with multiple scoring titles, MVPs and championships.
“I’ve been blessed to be back healthy and be able to just play night in, night out at a high level. And the work that goes into it, it pays off, and it’s something that I really, really rely on, especially at this point in my career. As the years go on, that is the difference-maker for me. Nobody really sees it on a day-to-day (basis), but I’m really proud of what I put into it, and the team — they know who they are — that help me and push me and motivate me. I’m going to keep doing that until I can’t anymore,” Curry said.
Meanwhile, another guard made a historic feat, as Kyrie Irving finished the season with 50.6% on field goals overall, 40.2% on threes and 92.2% from the free-throw line.
He became the ninth player to join the 50-40-90 club, joining his teammate Kevin Durant and head coach Steven Nash. Nash did it a total of four times while Durant is the only one together with Kyrie to do it with at least 25 average points.
Larry Bird (two times), Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Stephen Curry and Malcolm Brogdon also reached the achievement.
“Phenomenal season from Ky. He’s a guy who can get it from anywhere on the floor at any time at that size is remarkable. Point guards that get 50/40/90 is just so much more impressive to me. I’m very happy for Kyrie, and I’m sure this won’t be his last time,” Durant said.