Golden State Warriors: 5 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

5. …and has a point to prove on offense

Curry’s love of humiliating defenders may be inconspicuous, but it is nothing new. A master in the arts of shooting, dribbling and passing, Curry has made a habit of adding something extra to what could be simple plays. Sometimes, his flair has utility (and sometimes futility, but we won’t talk about that). Other times, it is purely for show.

In these Finals, a third reason appears to be at play: redemption. Curry may say he simply wants to win to erase the feeling of last year, but he wants to rid himself, and his image, of demons beyond a blown 3-1 lead.

No player has ever risen to the pinnacle and fallen as fast as Curry. He was the most bulletproof superstar since Michael Jordan, until he was suddenly turned on by those who had built him up, feeling as though they been defrauded. The reason? One subpar playoff series.

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Curry may not need that adoration back, but he clearly wants to prove people wrong. Why else would he be so adamant to drive on the guy who shut him down in Game 7, or to embarrass the guy who screamed on him in Game 6? Because he can, certainly, but also because he wants people to know he can. And that he could have last year, too.