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NBA: 10 best players of calendar year 2019

By Josh Cornelissen

Toronto Raptors Kawhi Leonard Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Toronto Raptors Kawhi Leonard Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /
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NBA Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry. Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images /

9. Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

When evaluating the stars of 2019 one cannot tell the story without Stephen Curry, but he is dragged down from his perch atop the league by the same injury issues that have dragged the Golden State Warriors from that same pedestal. A hand injury has kept Curry out of any games since Oct. 28, but his excellence for the year’s first 10 months keep him on this list.

Last season was Curry’s last as second fiddle and he played his role as supporting actor well. The Warriors were exceptional when he played and worse when he sat, as they have been throughout his prime. It was in the postseason that he shone, stepping up when Kevin Durant and later Klay Thompson went down to injury.

Only Kawhi Leonard amassed more win shares than Stephen Curry in the playoffs.

In 46 regular season games Curry averaged 25.8 points per game, good for 11th in the league. He likewise averaged five made 3-pointers per game, neck-and-neck with James Harden for first in the league. The player who redefined shooting has not lost his touch.

Ultimately Curry is shoved down the list by his availability, barely appearing in more games than Durant (40) or Anthony Davis (44), two players who missed the cut due to games played. Where he makes up the ground is in the postseason, which Durant missed in part and Davis in full. Curry is unique among his peers and the league is worse off for his absence.