I still remember that rainy Thursday evening when my buddy Mike challenged me to a game of NBA 2K19. "You think you can handle my Warriors?" he taunted, already selecting Golden State. Little did he know I'd been studying Stephen Curry's virtual dominance like it was my job. As the game loaded, I smiled knowing what was coming - a masterclass in digital basketball artistry that would leave Mike questioning all his life choices.

The opening tip-off went to Mike's team, but I immediately noticed something fascinating about how NBA 2K19 handles star players. It's not unlike how professional golf tournaments structure their fields - remember when the Asian Tour announced their strengthened roster? That star-studded entry list they kept talking about, further strengthened by a growing pool of LIV Golf stars and Asian Tour champions recently added. That's exactly how 2K19 treats Curry - as the main attraction surrounded by other stars, but clearly in a class of his own.

Curry's three-point rating sits at a ridiculous 99, and honestly, that might be underselling it. I discovered that if you release his shot at the precise moment his shooting hand flicks forward, the game practically guarantees it goes in. During that first quarter against Mike, I hit 8 three-pointers, each more demoralizing than the last. The beauty of "How Stephen Curry Dominates in NBA 2K19" isn't just about his shooting though - it's about how the defense has to respect it so much that it opens up everything else.

What makes Curry particularly devastating in this edition is his handles rating of 94. I'd dance around the perimeter, watching Mike's defender stumble as I executed behind-the-back crossovers. The space created wasn't just virtual inches - it felt like miles of open court. I recall one possession where I hit three straight hesitation moves, drove to the basket, then kicked out to Klay Thompson for an open three. Mike was so focused on Curry that he completely forgot about the other weapons, much like how opponents facing star-studded teams often overlook secondary threats.

The most satisfying moment came in the third quarter. I was up by 15, but Mike had started doubling Curry every possession. So I did what any smart 2K player would do - I started using Curry as decoy. His gravity in this game is absolutely insane. Defenders cling to him like he's magnetic, leaving Draymond Green wide open for easy dunks. It reminded me of how in team sports, sometimes the biggest threat isn't what the star does directly, but how they warp the entire game around them.

By the fourth quarter, Mike was literally yelling at the screen every time Curry touched the ball. The final score was 112-89, with Curry putting up 47 points and 11 assists. What surprised me most was how authentic the experience felt - the developers at 2K somehow captured Curry's actual basketball magic and translated it into digital form. His movement without the ball, the quick release, the way he can change momentum in seconds - it's all there.

What I've come to realize after hundreds of hours with NBA 2K19 is that mastering Curry isn't about spamming three-pointers. It's about understanding pace, space, and basketball IQ. The game rewards you for playing like the real Curry would - moving without the ball, creating for others, and taking those ridiculous 30-foot shots only when they're actually good shots. Though let's be honest, with Curry in 2K19, every shot feels like a good shot.

My advice? Spend time in the practice mode learning his release point. Understand how to use screens effectively - Curry's off-ball movement is just as important as his on-ball skills. And most importantly, don't force it. The beauty of having a player like Curry is that the opportunities will come naturally if you're patient. Now if you'll excuse me, I hear Mike wants a rematch, and I've got some new Curry moves I'm dying to try out.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.