Stephen Curry's record-shattering 3-point shooting and Golden State's run to five consecutive NBA Finals have transformed basketball with more long shots, versatile playmakers and switching defensive schemes.
It's an evolution on display in this year's best-of-seven championship series as the Warriors, seeking a third consecutive title and fourth in five seasons, meet a Toronto squad fashioned in Golden State's image.
"They have definitely left a stamp on basketball in this league," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.
Curry's uncanny ability to sink 3-pointers -- he stretched his NBA Finals career 3-pointers record to 102 with four in game one -- and create opportunities along with backcourt partner Klay Thompson has led a push outside from eras when giants dominated inside or stars like Michael Jordan or LeBron James ruled with acrobatic shotmaking.
"I call him a transformational player," Nurse said of Curry. "He has got kids all over the world shooting from 40 feet away.
"As you've seen the 3-point shot become so rapidly used in the last three or four years, a lot of that is because of Golden State and Steph and Klay. Now you're seeing quickly the league start to shoot six to eight...
