Stephen Curry finally has Golden State Warriors on firm footing again

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts after scoring in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. The Kings won 131-127.(AP Photo/Steve Yeater) (The Associated Press)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings defender DeMarcus Cousins during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) (The Associated Press)

Mark Jackson jokes that when he saw Stephen Curry return to the court for the first time since the point guard's most recent right ankle surgery, he thought he could "really be a better coach this year."

The truth, as even Jackson admits, is that nobody is questioning the Golden State Warriors' ways now, in large part because nobody is questioning Curry's health.

The Warriors (17-9) are off to their best start since the 1991-92 season, when the team began 21-8 behind Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin. Golden State enters Friday night's game against Curry's hometown Charlotte Bobcats playing like a playoff-bound team in the Western Conference.

After two surgeries and countless issues with his ankle, Curry is averaging career highs of 19.9 points and 6.3 assists per game this season.