After the crushing loss in the 2019 NBA Finals and the departure of Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors were left in pieces. Their once-unstoppable dynasty had crumbled, and for the first time in years, they weren’t contenders—they were underdogs again.

Stephen Curry, the man who had revolutionized the NBA, now faced his biggest challenge yet: rebuilding from scratch.

Would the Warriors rise again? Or was their championship window officially closed?

The Dark Years: Injuries and Struggles (2019-2021)

The 2019-20 season was supposed to be a reset year, a chance for Curry to prove he could lead the Warriors back to the top without Durant.

Instead, everything fell apart instantly.

• Klay Thompson missed the entire season due to an ACL injury.
• Curry broke his hand just four games in, forcing him to miss 58 games.
• The Warriors, now led by Draymond Green and a roster of inexperienced players, finished dead last in the NBA with a 15-50 record.

This was rock bottom.

For the first time in years, Curry was watching the playoffs from home. Critics started questioning his legacy:

• “Can Curry win without superstars?”
• “Was he just a product of Durant’s dominance?”
• “The Warriors’ dynasty is officially over.”

Curry, however, wasn’t listening.

The 2020-21 Season: The MVP-Level Comeback

By the time the 2020-21 season rolled around, Curry was fully healthy and ready for revenge.

Despite playing on a weaker roster, he put up one of the best statistical seasons of his career:

• 32.0 points per game – leading the NBA in scoring
• 5.8 assists per game
• 337 three-pointers made, proving that he was still the greatest shooter on Earth

He put on some legendary performances, including a 62-point explosion against the Portland Trail Blazers, reminding everyone that he was still the most unstoppable offensive force in the game.

But even with Curry playing at an MVP level, the Warriors weren’t quite ready to contend.

• They barely made the Play-In Tournament, a new format that decided the final playoff spots.
• In a dramatic showdown against LeBron James and the Lakers, Curry dropped 37 points, but Golden State lost to a clutch LeBron three-pointer.
• The Warriors had one more chance to make the playoffs but fell short against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Despite missing the postseason, Curry had proven one thing—he wasn’t done yet. The Warriors just needed their full squad back to reclaim their throne.

The 2021-22 Season: The Warriors Are Back

Heading into the 2021-22 season, the Warriors finally had their key pieces in place:

• Curry was still in MVP form.
• Klay Thompson returned after 941 days away from the game.
• Draymond Green was still the team’s defensive leader.
• Young stars like Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins stepped up.

From the very start, it was clear: Golden State was back.

• They started the season 18-2, immediately reminding the league that the Warriors were contenders again.
• Curry broke the all-time record for three-pointers, passing Ray Allen in December 2021.
• The Warriors won 53 games, earning the No. 3 seed in the West.

But one question remained: Could Curry still win a championship without Kevin Durant?

The 2022 NBA Playoffs: Curry’s Legacy-Defining Run

As the playoffs began, the Warriors had something to prove. Curry had already won three titles, but critics still claimed he needed Durant to win.

Curry responded the only way he knew how: by dominating.

• First Round: The Warriors eliminated the Denver Nuggets, with Curry coming off the bench and still averaging 28 points per game.
• Second Round: They took down the Memphis Grizzlies in six games, despite an injury to Gary Payton II.
• Western Conference Finals: They crushed the Dallas Mavericks, securing their sixth Finals appearance in eight years.

Standing in their way? The Boston Celtics—a young, elite defensive team that had shut down Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo in previous rounds.

This was Curry’s biggest challenge yet.

The 2022 NBA Finals: The Final Piece of the Puzzle

The Celtics entered the Finals with the best defense in the NBA, and early on, it looked like they had figured out the Warriors.

• Boston stole Game 1 on Golden State’s home court.
• They took a 2-1 series lead, putting the Warriors in a dangerous position.

Then, Curry delivered one of the greatest Finals performances ever.

In Game 4, with the Warriors facing a 3-1 deficit, Curry put the team on his back, scoring 43 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. It was a masterpiece, a performance that reminded everyone why he was a generational talent.

The Warriors won the next two games, finishing the series in six games to win the 2022 NBA Championship.

Finals MVP: The Missing Piece

Despite everything Curry had achieved, one thing had always been used against him—he had never won Finals MVP.

That changed in 2022.

Curry averaged 31.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, finally earning the Bill Russell Finals MVP Award.

• “He can’t win without Durant?” Proven wrong.
• “He disappears in the Finals?” Proven wrong.
• “He’s not a top-10 player of all time?” Proven very wrong.

After the game, as the confetti fell, Curry broke down in tears.

This title meant more than any other.

This was his championship.

This was his legacy.

The Final Legacy: How Curry Changed Basketball Forever

With four championships, two MVPs, and the most three-pointers in history, Curry had done more than just win—he had transformed the way basketball is played.

• He made three-pointers the most important shot in the game.
• He changed how teams build their rosters—now everyone needs shooters.
• He proved that size isn’t everything—you don’t need to be the biggest, strongest player to dominate.

Stephen Curry wasn’t just one of the greatest players ever—he was one of the most influential athletes in sports history.

In Summary: The Legacy of Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and revolution. From being an underdog overlooked by major colleges to becoming the greatest shooter in NBA history, his story is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and unshakable belief.

He didn’t just win championships—he changed the way basketball is played. His three-point shooting revolutionized the NBA, forcing teams to rethink their strategies and prioritize spacing, shooting, and skill over sheer physicality. He proved that you don’t have to be the biggest or strongest to dominate—you just need to outwork, outthink, and outshoot your opponents.

Curry faced every possible doubt—too small, too injury-prone, too reliant on teammates—yet time and time again, he shattered expectations. He led the Warriors to four championships, won two MVPs (including the only unanimous MVP in history), and holds countless shooting records. His 2022 championship and Finals MVP erased any lingering doubts about his individual greatness, cementing his legacy as one of the top players of all time.

But perhaps the greatest impact of all? He inspired an entire generation. Kids across the world now dream of shooting from half-court, just like Curry. His influence will live on long after he leaves the game, shaping the future of basketball for decades to come.

Stephen Curry isn’t just an NBA legend—he’s a basketball revolution.