Jerry West is an executive board member with the Golden State Warriors. As such, the NBA legend does not take too kindly to players from bygone eras criticizing either the Warriors or their star player, Stephen Curry.
Jerry West of ex-players criticizing Warriors & Stephen Curry said laughing: "I would say No. 1 get over it, OK?" https://t.co/mv4hFXPAOI
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) June 5, 2016
When viewing the entirety of their accomplishments, it would certainly be hard to argue against the idea that Golden State and Curry may face too much criticism
The Warriors broke a record that had previously looked unbreakable, going 73-9 during the regular season. Their accomplishments throughout this season have often made their 2015 season look rather ordinary. It was not, as Golden State posted one of the 10-best seasons in NBA history, going 67-15 to win the title.
That’s a regular season record of 140-24 over two years that includes, at worst, two Western Conference championships and one NBA championship.
That two-year regular season mark is bettered only the Chicago Bulls of 1995-96 and 1996-97, who went 141-23 in those two seasons.
Curry has won each of the last two MVP awards, including this year’s prize unanimously — something nobody else has done. He has obliterated his own single-season three-point record in the process, making 402, bettering his own record by a whopping 116 threes. For some perspective on that, Larry Bird never made more than 98 three pointers in a season.
The entirety of the interview can be seen on NBA TV. In it, West talked about a lot more than just the Warriors.
The Logo, Jerry West, speaks with the NBA TV crew about Iverson, Shaq, Muhammad Ali & much more! https://t.co/ijeAyrp0Cs
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 5, 2016
This is not the first time during the Finals that West has come to the defense of a player in this year’s matchup. He also slammed those who criticize LeBron James’ 2-4 record in the Finals, calling the criticism “ridiculous.”