2022 is the Year of Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry has put together seasonal campaigns like no other throughout his 13-year career. In 2016, he became the first unanimous MVP in NBA History with a 50/40/90 season and the first player to knock down 400 threes in a season. In 2021: he put together arguably an even better season than 2016 with one of the most prolific offensive seasons ever. While both years were incredible playing-wise— no season or year of Curry's may be more memorable than 2022.
Before talking about just how special of a year it has been for the two-time MVP, you must acknowledge the three years prior and even parts of this year.
In 2019, the season ended on a grueling and disappointing note with a loss in the NBA Finals to the Raptors, Durant's departure, and Klay's first devastating injury. Moving to later in 2019, with the start of the '19-'20 season– Curry suffered a broken hand and missed nearly the entire season. Golden State finished with one of their worst records in franchise history.
In 2020, the pandemic hit the entire world, and everything stopped. Later, the 2020 season was eventually able to start but with no fans until later in the year. Even while Steph put together a phenomenal season, it wasn't enough to carry the Warriors to a playoff appearance.
After the Dubs' loss to the Grizzlies in the play-in, Curry put the league on notice with a straightforward message.
Immediately out the gates of the '21-'22 season, Golden State came out hot. They started the season 9-1 in their first ten games and proceeded to hold onto one of the best records in the league throughout the first half of the season.
Moving to December, Steph accomplished a feat that was thought to forever be untouchable— eclipsing Ray Allen as the league's leader in three-pointers. While many already consider Steph the greatest shooter of all time, he never wanted to consider himself that until he surpassed Allen.
Once Curry did pass Allen, he finally acknowledged having the title to his name.
Steph then told Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck how much farther he wanted to extend the record.
"Hopefully, I can push it to a point where it's untouchable," said Curry. Many are predicting and even expecting Steph, depending on his longevity in the league, to eclipse the 4k mark in three-pointers.
Then the next month in January, his fellow splash brother Klay Thompson made his return to the court. However, as Klay returned, Draymond became sidelined with what could have been a detrimental injury in his lower back.
Klay's return was highly anticipated, but the Warriors as a team found themselves in a bit of a slump throughout the second half of January and the beginning of February going into the All-Star break.
During All-Star Weekend, Curry stole the spotlight with 16 made 3's in the All-Star Game and won his first All-Star Game MVP. This was the second accolade he accumulated.
For most teams, the All-Star break is supposed to be an opportunity for teams to re-group and get ready for the second half of the season. Golden State got a week of rest, but the Warriors' play on the court continued on a decline for the remainder of the season.
The Warriors fell from the 2nd seed to the 3rd seed and were even at the risk of dropping to the 4th seed. Many in the organization were waiting to see if Draymond's return and the return of Golden State's Big 3 on the court would turn the team around.
As soon as Draymond returned for his first game in March, Curry suffered a foot injury that same game. At that moment, it started to become more and more of a belief that this may not be the Warriors' redemption year.
The Warriors finished the season in the 3rd seed while playing ugly basketball. Most of the time, when teams go into the playoffs the way they were playing, you almost don't want to watch. Luckily, Curry was able to heal just in time for the start of the playoffs, and we finally saw the Golden Trio reunited on the floor.
As soon as the playoffs started, it felt like a switch was flipped, and we saw the Golden State Warriors that everyone knew from the previous five-year finals run.
Once the switch was flipped, the playoff run became History, and the dynasty was revived.
Golden State would go on to win their fourth title in eight years, with Steph leading the way and winning the one award everyone hung over his head— the NBA Finals MVP. He also became the first Western Conference Finals MVP in league history, along with his Finals MVP.
After winning the WCF MVP, his fourth title, and his first finals MVP, Steph's year just improved. More and more individual accolades started to fill his trophy case throughout the summer.
Curry was named the Host of the 2022 ESPY Awards Show and walked away with the ESPY for Best NBA Player. He was also named the BET Sportsman of the Year.
These awards were given to Steph because of what he has done on the court. Off the court, he's been just as successful this year. Curry accomplished something rare for any athlete as he was named an Academy Award for his role as Executive Producer in the documentary The Queen of Basketball.
His most recent accomplishments of the year just took place last week. Curry received his undergraduate degree; He was inducted into Davidson's Sports Hall of Fame, and the number 30 was placed into the rafters at Davidson as Steph's number was retired.
When you look at the list of accomplishments Steph has over 2022; it's almost unreal. It's not a bad take to say that Steph has probably had the best year out of any athlete, celebrity, and just flat-out person. When you talk about dreams being made, practically all of Steph's dreams have been made this year alone.
There are still four months left in the year, including September. The question is just how many more accolades Steph can collect before the year ends. The one major award remaining that Curry is in contention for, which will most likely be announced in December, is the AP Male Athlete of the Year.
Whether Steph is named AP Male Athlete of the Year or not, or if he wins any more awards this year, it's safe to say that Steph's year has been undeniably one for the ages.
(Photo credit: Steven Senne/AP Photo)