Golden State: Steph Curry's Shanghai show a sign of things to come

It may have just been a preseason game, but if Golden State’s 142-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Shanghai is anything to go by, the Warriors look to be a shoe-in to secure back-to-back NBA championships. 

The Warriors put together a scoring exhibition behind a solid 22 points from Kevin Durant and 28 from Klay Thompson. Leading the charge, however, was star point guard Steph Curry who poured in 40 points in three quarters, scoring in every way imaginable. He was at his dazzling best, exciting the Shanghai crowd play after play and putting on a shot-making clinic. In the third quarter alone, Curry scored 19 points and produced several highlights-reel plays, including four three-pointers, a reverse lay-up and a floater.  

Unstoppable Warriors

When Curry is playing at this elite level, Golden State are almost unstoppable. In the last two years, (including playoffs) when the two-time MVP scores 40 points or more the Warriors are 19-1. When Curry gets into his zone, he is the hardest player in the league to defend. Distance doesn’t affect him. A hand in his face doesn’t affect him. Double teams don’t affect him. As a defender, you are essentially helpless. All you can really do is stay disciplined, contest his shot and hope for a miss. Even if he has an off day or as a defensive unit you somehow shut him down, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are just as capable of heating up and doing the same damage.