Being the best pure shooter in the NBA makes Stephen Curry a surprise each time he does more than just score for the Golden State Warriors. By getting a triple double before even reaching the fourth quarter while Andre Iguodala took care of the scoring, he proved just how far he’s come over the last two seasons and where he’s planning to go.

The answer? Becoming one of the best player in the league, and not just someone who is revered for his three-point shooting ability. Curry did score 18 points, but only on 2-of-9 from three. It was more impressive seeing him finish the game with 10 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals as the Warriors handed the 76ers their first loss of the season, winning in Philly 110-90.

The Warriors outscored the Sixers 98-65 through the first three quarters and let go from there. The speed of Michael Carter-Williams didn’t seem so special against the Warriors’ defense and ball movement, while Andrew Bogut had no problem bringing Spencer Hawes back down to earth by limiting the center to only 6 points.

Andre Iguodala led the scoring for the Warriors with 32 points. He averaged 8.7 points per game heading into the contest, but by scoring 27 points in the first half (a career record for him in any half), he surpassed his season total in scoring up to that point.

Iguodala seems to be learning from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, hitting 7 three pointers (six in the first half). Stephen Curry was only 2-of-9 from beyond the arc while Klay Thompson was a more normal 4-of-8, scoring 15 points.

Iguodala was booed during pregame by Sixers fans, despite his deaprture being via trade, and Philadelphia simply being on the losing end of it. By the time his incredible first half was over, which included some impressive dunks and alley oops, including a 70-foot pass from Stephen Curry, there were those who decided to forgive him and cheered for his impressive performance.

Both teams combined to turn the ball over 46 times, which suited the Warriors better simply for having a better defense. The Sixers were sloppy, especially early on, and don’t have the talent off the bench to swing games back their way. Michael Carter-Williams was an awful 4-of-17 from the field, and it seems that when his shot isn’t dropping, the Sixers don’t really have anything to make up for that.

Are the Warriors title contenders this season? Hard to say. Andrew Bogut being healthy right from the start doesn’t hurt, and if David Lee can stop being just a statistical beast and a player who actually helps out on defense, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the addition of Iguodala makes them one of the best teams in the Western conference, even on nights when Curry isn’t sinking every possible shot.

He’s done everything right for me, put me in position to be a successful coach. It’s a way of saying thank you. I wouldn’t have kept him in much longer, but he deserved it. Once he got the triple double, I had no problem taking him off.

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