Stephen Curry, the sharpshooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, clinched the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year award, beating out tough competition like DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
At 36, Curry dominated the clutch moments, scoring a whopping 189 points during critical game minutes, which are defined by the NBA as the final five minutes of games with a five-point margin. His team, the Warriors, played a staggering 48 such nail-biting games, the most in the league.
In an interview on TNT before the playoff games, Curry shared his disappointment at missing out on the playoffs after losing to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament. Despite the setback, he remained optimistic, recognizing the team's potential and the need to tweak their game for future success.
The voting results showed Curry's dominance, with 45 first-place votes and a total of 298 points, leaving DeRozan in a close second with 34 first-place votes and 272 points. Gilgeous-Alexander came in third with 11 first-place votes and 160 points. Other notable players also received votes, including Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson.
DeRozan, who at 34 is the only player to be a finalist for the award in consecutive seasons, showcased his clutch abilities by leading the Bulls to a 27-17 record in clutch games, the sixth-best in the league. The Bulls, under his leadership, played 44 clutch games, the third-most in the NBA this season.
Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander, at 25, spearheaded the Oklahoma City Thunder's impressive run, securing the top seed in the Western Conference partly due to their success in clutch moments. The Thunder boasted the fifth-best winning percentage (63.2%) in clutch games, with Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership shining through.
Curry, reflecting on his success, emphasized the importance of resilience and a short memory in clutch situations. He stressed the need to move on quickly from missed shots and failures, focusing instead on the next opportunity to make an impact. His approach to the game embodies the mindset of a true clutch player, deserving of the prestigious award.
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