Stephen Curry Merchandise Sales Break Single-Season Record

Stephen Curry is the catalyst for the 73-win Golden State Warriors, and he's now the catalyst for breaking records in merchandise sales.

On Friday, CSNBayArea.com reported Curry merchandise sales increased by more than 250 percent in the last year, setting a new NBAStore.com record.

Curry's skyrocketing popularity has come at a time when his play is escalating to a new level. At this time last year, the Warriors had completed a 67-15 season, the top record in the Western Conference, and Curry was on his way to winning the first MVP Award of his young career.

The season concluded with Curry and the Warriors winning the franchise's first NBA title in 40 years. 

There was no letdown following the championship run. This year, Curry won the scoring title by averaging 30.1 points per game, shooting better than 50 percent from the floor, 45 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line in the process.

The Warriors will begin their quest for a second straight championship Saturday against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

While the 250 percent increase is impressive, it doesn't come as a surprise. Curry was the leader of the team that knocked off LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals last year. James has long been the face of the league, but Curry's play over the last two years has given fans a reason to believe he's the top player in the world.

It may not be an on-court record like the 402 three-pointers he made this year, but Curry is entering another stratosphere when it comes to popularity.