NBA 2010-11: 5 Reasons a Monta Ellis-Stephen Curry Backcourt Can Win
After Sunday's 100-94 win over the playoff-bound Oklahoma City Thunder, questions abound for the Golden State Warriors faithful.
Those questions really were best summed up by an ominous text message courtesy of my brother shortly after the victory.
"Nice win today. Are they as good as their wins or as bad as their losses?"
That single question sums up the frustrating reality that is life as a Golden State Warriors fan. A frustrating reality because the answer to that question is a resounding "Yes." Yes to both parts.
Yes, they are as bad at times as that home loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Or as bad as those home-away losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. With a run-and-gun, jump shooting team—coupled with perhaps the most shallow bench in the NBA—this team is set up to lose games against teams they should bury.
But yes, they are as good as those wins as well. Wins over the Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder in an eight-day span show how good they can be.
The team's defensive effort and movement spur a majority of those big victories. A lackluster defensive effort often spells their doom in those crushing losses.
But the reason that this team is able to hang with the NBA's elite is simple: In Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, the Warriors possess not only the most talented backcourt, but also a backcourt that can bring sustained success to an organization.
Don't believe me? Here are five reasons why this can be a winning combination.
5. Wisdom Beyond Their Years
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At a combined 47 years of age, maybe that's not saying much. But it is clear the two have come a long way in a little less than 24 months.
It's hard to fathom that this duo came so close to doom from the very start. Ellis openly criticized the Warriors' selection of Curry (seventh overall in the 2009 draft) and publicly questioned the ability of the two to coexist in an NBA backcourt.
The two struggled through most of last season, with Ellis controlling the offense and Curry struggling to find his spot until he was the last Warriors starter left standing.
But then the summer came and brought Ellis' timely wedding. Ellis' wife, Juanika, told him that he was being unfair to Curry and that the two could win together. Ellis—apparently a savvy husband already—took heed of his wife's words and embraced Curry with an invitation to the ceremony.
The rest is history. The two have bought in to the concept of playing and leading a franchise together. They have already led this Warriors bunch to 24 wins, just two shy of last season's 26. Any substantial winning streak could mean the first trip back to the playoffs since 2007 for the organization.
4. Defensive Effort
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That's right—one of the highlights for the Warriors is about defense.
While these two are nowhere near defensive stoppers (frankly, it's a stretch to call them defensive anythings), they both show the effort to improve on the defensive end.
When the starting backcourt both stand under 6'4", effort is a close relative of skill since the size disadvantages will almost always be present.
To their credit, both have lightning-quick hands (both rank in the top six in steals per game) and create offense with their defense.
For anyone who's watched the Warriors, they will tell you that Ellis is tough on opposing guards regardless of size. And Curry is too good and too smart of a basketball player not to improve on that end of the floor in his career.
3. Size vs. Speed
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While the Warriors try different things to offset their size disadvantages, perhaps the biggest thing they can do is do nothing at all.
For as many size disadvantages as this backcourt duo will face throughout their career, they will create just as many with their handles and quickness.
Outside of Leandro Barbosa (possibly), there is not another shooting guard in the league who can keep up with Monta Ellis. His first step allows him the space to settle in for his favorite midrange jumper (the Indiana Pacers know which jumper that is).
As soon as the Warriors win enough games to net Ellis some star foul calls, the Warriors should start making up ground in their foul and subsequent free throw disparity (the Warriors commit a league-worst 3.73 more fouls than their opponents).
As for Curry, his first step is not the quickest but he is very clever and deceptive with the ball in his hands. His slight head fakes and change-of-pace ability allow him to create space in a Steve Nash-like manner. And given his Steve Nash-like shooting ability (and ultra quick release), that spacing can be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
2. Fearless Leaders
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Ellis, as noted earlier, has embraced the leadership role in this, his sixth season since being drafted in the second round of the 2005 draft. But it's the way he leads by example that showcases his ability to be a franchise leader.
At 6'3", 185 pounds, who could blame Ellis if he decided to step no closer than the free-throw line extended? After all, he's developed into one of the league's most reliable midrange shooters, and has even added a decent three-point shot (36.4 percent).
But this is hardly the way Ellis plays the game. Ellis attacks the rim as though he's throwing LeBron James' frame around, not his own. His relentless, attacking offense and seeming disregard for his body could teach a thing or two to the bench players wondering why they can't crack the rotation.
And as far as Curry is concerned, he showed during his time at Davidson that he's a natural leader. And he's already shown the fearlessness that Ellis possesses, although in a different manner.
Where Ellis shows a fearless attacking offense, Curry shows his fearlessness of the moment. Curry wants to take the big shot. He wants to play under the bright lights. It's really no surprise that Curry saved perhaps his best game of the season (23 points, 13 assists, no turnovers) for the rarity that is an ESPN-televised Warriors tilt on Sunday.
His willingness to be the guy takes the pressure off Ellis (and to an extent David Lee) and makes opposing teams decide which one of the two they want to focus on.
1. Offensive Juggernauts
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For as little publicity as the Golden State Warriors receive, Ellis and Curry have seen their share of accolades from players and coaches around the association.
After nearly matching Kobe Bryant in a loss earlier this season to the Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers coach Phil Jackson commented how Ellis' addition of a three-pointer made him "unstoppable" at times. Perhaps the biggest praise for Ellis is the fact that opposing coaches have made him the focus of their game plans.
As for Curry, he was referred to by Heat coach Erik Spoelstra as the closest player to a Steve Nash that the league has seen since Nash came in. And with Curry creeping closer to joining Nash's elite group (yes, the vaunted 50-40-90 club; right now he's 48.2-41.3-94.0), it's easy to follow Spoelstra's thinking.
Golden State Warriors fans will tell you that defense and rebounding are the keys to turning this organization around. They'll tell you that a post presence would turn this team into a perennial playoff contender.
But what they often forget to mention is the fact that these items are just pieces to the Warriors' bigger puzzle. These are the ingredients that build up a winning franchise, but they're nothing without the offensive prowess of the young backcourt mates.
The Warriors have a special combination with their two budding superstars. If the Warriors are buyers, not sellers, the front office can add the missing two or three pieces to prove to the NBA that this backcourt combo is elite. If one of the two is shipped out, though, there could be some long seasons ahead for this franchise.
