From Underdog to Legend: Analyzing Steph Curry's 2009 Combine Through a Data Lens
The Metrics Behind Curry’s Ascent
That Skinny Kid From Davidson
When the Warriors’ social media team posted throwback footage of Steph Curry at the 2009 combine, it wasn’t just nostalgia - it was a masterclass in talent evaluation. My RAPTOR-based analysis shows his 37.5” vertical (85th percentile) and lightning-quick lane agility times masked what really mattered:
- Shooting DNA: His 92nd percentile spot-up accuracy in college translated perfectly despite concerns about NBA range
- Playmaking Potential: Assist-to-usage ratio (1.38) predicted elite off-ball movement
- Efficiency Profile: .632 true shooting percentage screamed “system cornerstone”
What the Numbers Missed
Three franchises picking ahead of Golden State (Memphis, Minnesota, Sacramento) needed point guards. Their analytics departments likely over-indexed on:
- Standing reach (just 6’2”)
- Defensive matchup projections
- Traditional point guard archetypes
The Warriors’ front office correctly valued:
- Offensive gravity metrics
- Leadership intangibles from Davidson’s tournament runs
- That magical release speed (0.4 seconds - still fastest in combine history)
That release hasn’t changed since Day 1
Legacy of a Seventh Pick
Fifteen years later, we can quantify how historic this miss was:
| Metric | 2009 Rank | Career Value |
|---|---|---|
| Win Shares | #7 pick | #1 in class |
| VORP | 5th-best PG | Greatest shooter ever |
| Championship Probability Added | 12% pre-draft | 4 rings (+27% franchise odds) |
The lesson? Sometimes the best analytics recognize when to ignore conventional wisdom.
GreenMachineX
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From Scrawny to Almighty: How Data Predicted Curry’s Rise
That 2009 combine footage isn’t just nostalgia - it’s the ultimate ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ moment in NBA history! While teams obsessed over standing reach (seriously, who brings a ruler to evaluate greatness?), the Warriors saw what really mattered:
- The Shot Clock in His DNA: That 0.4s release wasn’t just fast - it was basically cheating physics!
- The Ultimate Glitch in The Matrix: 92nd percentile accuracy that somehow improved with NBA range (take that, doubters!)
Fifteen years later, those ‘too small’ concerns aged like milk left in Arizona summer heat. Moral of the story? Sometimes the best analytics move is ignoring ‘expert’ eyes!
Drops mic picks it back up to check its efficiency metrics
O Menino Magrelo que Enganou a Todos
Lembram-se daquele ‘frangote’ do draft de 2009? Pois é, o Steph Curry provou que os números não mentem - mas só para quem sabe ler direito! Enquanto os olheiros se preocupavam com sua altura (coitados), os Warriors viram:
- Tiro quente: 92% de acerto nos spots? Isso sim é DNA de campeão!
- Velocidade cósmica: 0.4s para arremessar? Até o Flash tinha inveja!
A Lição Mais Cara da NBA
Memphis, Minnesota e Sacramento até hoje devem chorar no banho pensando nesse erro histórico. Enquanto isso, Golden State coleciona anéis… Quem ri por último, ri melhor (e com mais títulos)!
E aí, torcedores do Porto e Benfica, já imaginaram o que seria ter um ‘Curry lusitano’? 😉
O ‘Magricela’ que Enganou Todos
Lembram daquele garoto franzino do Davidson que ninguém dava nada? Pois é, Steph Curry provou que estatísticas podem enganar! Com seu salto de 37.5” e um arremesso mais rápido que um piscar de olhos, ele deixou os olheiros comendo poeira.
Os Números Não Mentem (Mas às vezes enganam)
Memphis, Minnesota e Sacramento até hoje devem estar se perguntando: ‘Como deixamos passar o maior arremessador da história?’ Enquanto isso, os Warriors riem à toa com seus 4 anéis!
E aí, time do Sacramento, ainda querem discutir scouting? 😂 #SubestimadoNuncaMais
When Nerds Outsmart Jocks
That skinny kid from Davidson just schooled the entire NBA with math! My RAPTOR model still gets emotional remembering how:
- Vertical Leap: 37.5” (or as I call it, ‘The Height of Bad Decisions’ for teams who passed on him)
- Release Speed: 0.4 seconds (faster than Memphis’ regret)
- True Shooting: .632 (basically basketball witchcraft)
Fun fact: Sacramento’s analytics team probably cried into their spreadsheets when they realized they drafted ‘traditional PG traits’ over a literal basketball revolution.
DMs open for angry Timberwolves fans 🍿
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