Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Pelicans

1. Curry’s “I’m back” moment both quieter, louder than last time

In his return from a Grade 1 sprained MCL in 2016, Curry dropped 17 points on the Portland Trail Blazers in overtime.

It was an NBA record and an all-time Curry performance, best remembered for him removing his mouthpiece, pointing down at the Blazers floor, and making a king’s claim: “I’m here. I’m back.”

Ignored at the time was the laborious nature of Curry’s outburst. He struggled through three quarters, and even his late-game heroics were more mental and intestinal than they were physical.

Over the next month and a half, we learned the sad truth. His loud proclamation was partially an overcompensation; Curry was never completely “back.”

The circumstances of his 2018 return were different. Curry was coming off a more severe knee sprain, but also took more time to recover (six weeks, rather than two and a half). He also had Durant to carry his team in his absence, a reality facilitated by the roster flaws his 2016 injury brought to light. Neither the hype nor the pressure surrounding this return was close to what it was two years ago.

Fittingly, Curry delivered a less dramatic but more impressive debut. No basketball player other than Curry regularly comes close to doubling their shot total (15) with points (28), and none would dream of doing so jumping right into the playoff fray after sitting out 16 straight games.

Afterwards, TNT‘s David Aldridge asked Curry if he could interest him in a sixth man role.

Curry responded calmly, “I’ll be back where I should be soon, but it’s good to be back on the floor.”

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

A humbly confident declaration, fitting for a more Curry-esque return.