Programming note: Watch the pregame edition of Warriors Outsiders tonight at 6 p.m. PT, streaming live on the MyTeams app.
Is Steph Curry better now than he was during the 2015-16 season?
Let's compare his numbers pre All-Star break:
-2015-16 = 29.8 points, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 50.8 percent overall, 45.4 percent from 3-point range (10.8 attempts per game).
-2018-19 = 28.6 points, 5.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 48.8 percent overall, 44.4 percent from 3-point range (11.5 attempts per game).
The statistics would say he was better during his unanimous MVP campaign. But Curry disagrees with the analytics.
"I definitely feel like I'm better than I was three years ago," the soon-to-be 31-year old said Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. "It's a good feeling knowing successes I've had personally don't get in the way of progress with the team, getting better and finding ways to expand your game.
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"Experience, more maturity and being challenged in new ways definitely helps."
Three years ago, Curry and the Warriors had a huge chip on their shoulder as many in the basketball world diminished their championship the season prior. They were in "prove all the haters wrong" mode. That squad treated every regular season contest like an NBA Finals game.
While the ultimate goal of winning a championship remains the same, the mindset and approach to the process is very different today.
Curry now shares the floor on a nightly basis with Kevin Durant and he doesn't have to carry the team night in and night out. His numbers aren't as gaudy as some of his peers. As a result, he isn't an MVP frontrunner.
[RELATED: Barack Obama takes playful jab at Steph Curry over past ankle problems]
"Everybody can come up with certain narratives," he told Yahoo Sports in reference to the MVP award. "It's clear who the best guys in the league are, who's helping the team win.
"Comparing numbers and styles … beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't know why I can't (win again), but I feel confident in knowing what type of player I am. I'm sure KD would say the same thing."
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller
