Curry still thinks about errant behind-the-back pass from 2016 Game 7
It's a possession that very few basketball fans would even remember from Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, yet it's one that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry hasn't been able to forget.
With the Warriors up 87-86 in the fourth quarter, Curry brought the ball up the floor at Oracle Arena, and Kyrie Irving's defense made sure he didn't have any breathing room once he crossed half court. Curry then proceeded to throw a behind-the-back pass to teammate Klay Thompson, which didn't come close to connecting, resulting in a turnover.
"I know it wasn't a good pass," Curry recently told ESPN's Chris Haynes.
From that point on, the 73-win Warriors fell apart at the seams, scoring just two points on 1-of-10 shooting with seven misses from 3-point range over the final five minutes. The Cleveland Cavaliers wound up completing their 3-1 series comeback, taking the finale 93-89 to become champions for the first time in franchise history.
"Yeah, I still think about that (turnover)," said Curry. "(But) in thinking about that game, it's funny because I know the concept of making the right play, making a simple play, understanding that there are deciding moments in games and the difference between winning a championship or not could be one of those plays.
"(With that said,) I came out in preseason this year and threw a behind-the-back pass because I have confidence that I can do it and it won’t change that."
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Curry's been a lot more careful with the rock over the Warriors' undefeated 12-0 run this postseason, averaging 0.9 fewer turnovers than last year (down to 3.3 from 4.2).
He'll have a chance for redemption against the Cavaliers when Game 1 goes down Thursday night in the Bay Area.