NBA: 30 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 season

7. Stephen Curry unleashed

It was an eventful summer for the Golden State Warriors. Kevin Durant went across the country to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Klay Thompson is set to miss at least half the season due to his long-term injury. All-Star D’Angelo Russell was brought in to stop the bleeding, but circumstances have left Stephen Curry to rediscover a lost art to keep his Warriors afloat.

Remember the Curry of old, from 2015-16? The unanimous MVP put up a season for the ages as one of the most explosive offensive forces. It was a level of freedom and creativity stifled in the presence of KD that now has the chance to make a comeback.

If Steph feels inclined to shoot over 15 3-pointers a game, Steve Kerr won’t have any objections. Should he pursue the league’s scoring title, expect Draymond Green to obsessively hunt for his MVP point guard. The Warriors need Curry to shine in ways they haven’t since before Durant to keep them humming along until Thompson returns.

During that 73-win campaign, Curry averaged 30.1 points in just 34.2 minutes a night, crossing the 50/40/90 shooting barrier in the process. He did what he deemed necessary to better serve Durant, but the latest free-agent decision by the four-time scoring champ reopened the door for Steph to unleash an aerial assault reminiscent of his original rise to prominence.