The Heel Turn Of Steph Curry Is Complete

What a difference a year makes.

Just a year ago he was America's sweetheart.

Just a year ago we were all anointing him the best player in the entire National Basketball Association.

A year ago he was the face of the league, moving past LeBron James in nationwide popularity.

A gorgeous wife with two doting daughters.

Kids wanted to be like him.

A stable family background in which his father Del, who once played in the NBA, while not a superstar in the highest order, certainly was known by many.

By all accounts, Stephen Wardell Curry has lived a charmed existence. While many may not admit this publicly, there is some resentment -- fair or unfair -- in corners of this league towards him. Curry didn't come from a background of struggle. He had both parents in the home. A solid foundation established from day number one. Even his ascent to the top of the NBA elite was paved with seemless ease.

His professional explosion really started in 2014. Curry soon then established himself as the greatest shooter in the modern era with his dead eye stroke from three, ball handling ability that forced fans to stand at attention in amazement.

Then came the MVP's. Two of them in fact. One of them was voted unanimous.

Then in 2016 the Golden State Warriors won a league record 73 games.

I prefer to call it -- the turning point. The point where many started attributing 'Steph Curry fatigue'. The point where the resent became much more real and it was no longer solely relegated to the NBA fraternity.

Jealousy is a real thing. Pressure in the 2016 playoffs began to rise. Could these Warriors led by a 6'2 unthreatening looking point guard cap off a record setting season with another NBA title? It almost railroaded off the tracks right from the start when Curry hurt his MCL and miss portions of the firs two rounds of the postseason.

He was never the same. Nor was his image.

In all honesty the entire Warriors team suddenly became unlikeable. From choir boys to cocky pricks. Whether it was Draymond Green's mouth getting him into trouble alongside kicking players in the balls. Klay Thompson's sort of smug behavior. And of course the ring leader -- Steph Curry. Known as a choir boy of sorts. Was he as genuine as he looked? You can see equally the smugness and confidence around him as the pressure rose.

They struggled in the Western Conference Finals but ultimately overcame the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then held a what seemed like an insurmountable 3-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers before the Warriors house of cards began to fall apart.

But this turn about face was so predictable. I knew this would happen. We always build up stars in this country only to later prefer they fail.

We did that with LeBron James.

Tiger Woods.

Even musicians. Politicians. You name it. If you are a known commodity, we will build you up. We will tear down eventually.

Thats where we are with Steph Curry in 2017.

To his credit, he has handled it with ease. His support system is strong. Family is his backbone. His teammates who has even moreso now become universally despised because they added arguably the second best player in basketball, Kevin Durant last July have build a second family of sorts.

Stephen Curry was the face of the league. Now he is a heel. Whether or not he knows it, does it really matter? So long as he's authentic in that role.

​Whatever the case is, he looks comfortable in his own skin. Why else would he pretend to defacate on the Cleveland Cavaliers homecourt moments after Kevin Durant sealed their Game 3 win in thel NBA Finals? You have to be comfortable within yourself to do something like that.

And he probably is.