If we didn’t know any better, we’d say his recent narrative was a self-contrived one. It’s as perfect as his jumper. Stephen Curry, the NBA’s golden child. It’s sweet-faced, family-oriented assassin. The only man from here to Beijing that poses a viable threat to LeBron James‘ global reign as the greatest active basketball player alive. The first-ever unanimous regular season MVP. He went down after slipping on sweat during the Rockets series. Doctors admit that had he slipped an inch further in any direction, his season could have been over. Instead, Curry misses just two weeks. Draymond Green ensures the Warriors have meaningful games to play when he returns. In his return, Curry doesn’t start, but he finishes. 40 points. A record-breaking 17-point overtime scoring outburst. The “I’m back” shouts to the Portland crowd.

Then, last night.

The Blazers have given the Warriors fits all season, and handed them a startling 30-point loss in February behind an absurd 51-point performance by Damian Lillard. These playoffs have been no different. Despite the fact Portland won only one game, this series could have very easily been 2-2, or 3-1 Blazers, had Portland been able to hold off two very late Warriors rallies, one of which took place with Stephen Curry in street clothes. Instead, GSW found themselves up 3-1, and with the ball in Curry’s hands, in his first start since his injury, in front of his home crowd, with his dad Dell looking on solemnly from a sky box.

Goodnight Portland.

May 12, 2016