By 2015, Stephen Curry had silenced the doubters. He was no longer just an injury-prone shooter—he was an NBA champion, an MVP, and the face of a new era of basketball. But what he did in the 2015-16 season would change the game forever and cement his place among the all-time greats.

This was the year Curry transformed from a superstar to a living legend.

The 2015-16 Season: A Year for the History Books

Coming off their 2015 championship, the Warriors entered the new season with momentum. But no one—not even Curry himself—could have predicted what would happen next.

Golden State started the season with an NBA-record 24 straight wins, obliterating opponents with fast-paced, three-point-heavy offense. Curry, in particular, was playing on another level.

Here’s what made his season legendary:

• He led the league in scoring with 30.1 points per game—while sitting out most fourth quarters because the Warriors were already winning.
• He hit 402 three-pointers, breaking his own record of 286 from the previous season (a record that many thought was unbreakable).
• He became the first player in NBA history to average 30+ points per game while shooting over 50% from the field, 45% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line.
• He made three-pointers from distances that were previously considered impossible—routinely sinking shots from 30+ feet, often turning around to celebrate before the ball even went in.

Opponents had no answer. You couldn’t guard him close because he would dribble past you. You couldn’t give him space because he would shoot from anywhere. Defenses were helpless against his combination of range, accuracy, and quick release.

By the time the regular season ended, Curry led the Warriors to a record-breaking 73-9 season—the best record in NBA history. They had officially surpassed the legendary 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who went 72-10.

This was basketball perfection. No team had ever been this dominant.

Unanimous MVP: The First and Only

For all his greatness, Curry still wasn’t considered the best overall player in the NBA. Many analysts believed LeBron James was still at the top due to his size, versatility, and leadership.

But in 2016, Curry changed that narrative.

When the MVP votes came in, he became the first player in NBA history to win the award unanimously—receiving all 131 first-place votes.

Think about that for a second. Not Michael Jordan. Not LeBron James. Not Kobe Bryant. No one before Curry had ever won MVP with a perfect vote.

This wasn’t just about personal success—it was a sign that the entire league had changed. The era of dominant big men was over. The three-point shot was now the most powerful weapon in basketball.

But just as Curry reached the peak of his powers, he was about to experience the biggest heartbreak of his career.

The 2016 NBA Finals: From Glory to Tragedy

With a 73-9 record and the first unanimous MVP in history, the Warriors entered the 2016 NBA Playoffs as clear favorites to win back-to-back championships.

They dominated the early rounds, but in the Western Conference Finals, they faced their biggest challenge yet—the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

The Warriors fell behind 3-1 in the series, just one loss away from elimination.

But Curry and his team didn’t panic.

• They won Game 5 at home behind Curry’s 31 points.
• They stole Game 6 in Oklahoma City, thanks to an unbelievable 41-point performance by Klay Thompson.
• In Game 7, Curry sealed the deal with 36 points, including dagger three-pointers that sent Golden State to the Finals.

After pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history, the Warriors were back in the Finals, set for a rematch against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Collapse: Losing a 3-1 Lead

The 2016 Finals started perfectly for the Warriors.

• They dominated Cleveland, winning three of the first four games.
• Up 3-1 in the series, they were just one win away from their second straight championship.
• No team in NBA history had ever lost a Finals after leading 3-1.

But history was about to be rewritten—for all the wrong reasons.

In Game 5, Draymond Green, one of the Warriors’ key defensive players, was suspended due to a flagrant foul on LeBron James. Without him, Cleveland stole a win.

In Game 6, LeBron and Kyrie Irving both scored 41 points, forcing a Game 7.

Then came the most painful game of Curry’s career.

Game 7: The Block, The Shot, The Heartbreak

With one minute left, the game was tied 89-89. It was a battle of legends—Curry vs. LeBron, a fight for the championship.

Then came “The Block.”

LeBron James sprinted down the court and made one of the most iconic defensive plays in history, blocking Andre Iguodala’s layup attempt.

Moments later, Kyrie Irving hit a clutch three-pointer over Curry, giving the Cavs a 92-89 lead.

Curry had one last chance to tie the game. He took a deep three-pointer, the same shot he had made all season.

He missed.

The Cavaliers won the championship, becoming the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. The Warriors, after their historic 73-9 season, were left without a title.

Curry was devastated. The season that was supposed to define his legacy had ended in heartbreak.

The Aftermath: A Turning Point

The media was ruthless.

• “Curry isn’t built for the Finals.”
• “The three-point era isn’t sustainable.”
• “LeBron James just proved who the real king is.”

For the first time in years, Curry faced serious doubt again. He had gone from the greatest season in NBA history to the biggest collapse in NBA Finals history.

But instead of breaking him, this loss fueled him.

The Warriors weren’t just going to run it back. They were about to change the NBA forever.

What’s Next?

In Part 5, we’ll explore how the Warriors responded to their devastating loss by making the biggest move in modern NBA history—signing Kevin Durant.

With Curry and Durant on the same team, the Warriors became an unstoppable force, and Curry would go on to cement his dynasty, winning multiple more championships.

But as always, greatness comes with new challenges. Could Curry continue to prove he was the true leader of the Warriors, even with Durant in the spotlight?

Stay tuned—the most dominant era of Curry’s career is just beginning.