Is Stephen Curry the greatest field goal shooter in the history of the National Basketball Association?
What say you LetsRun? Does the well respected LetsRun community agree with this well-researched opinion? I do believe that LeBron, in his prime, was a better player that Curry was at his peak but I think Curry exceeds James as a shooter.
I fully believe that Stephen Curry is the best basketball player in the history of the league!!
I liked reading the history. Hard to believe players were so slow to take advantage of it.
#1 is NOT Curry ( a player I really like).
I think Stephen Curry is the greatest 3 point shooter in NBA history up to now. Of course I may be biased from being born in Oakland and being a huge Warriors fan. I think LeBron James is the best player in the NBA now with Kevin Durant being the 2nd best.
Um... Ever heard of Gail Goodrich? L.A. High School Player of the Year 1961 His H.S. team undefeated his senior year. Scored 29 points in the city final. 1963-64 his UCLA team was undefeated, 30-0, and won Nat. Champs. Next year they won again and Goodrich scored 42 in the final game against Michigan. As a 6 foot tall guard.
Lakers 1971-72. Goodrich averaged 26 per game and Lakers won 33 games in a row. Won the NBA Champ. in 5 games against the Lakers. Had there been a 3 pt. shot then he would have ave. over 30/game, easily.
BTW Goodrich actually DRIBBLED the ball. That is he kept his hand on top the ball as the rules stated. He didn't palm every dribble and carry the ball which nowadays accounts for many player's 'great moves'.
Attn NBA, START CALLING PALMING THE BALL.
Francis Polytech High School Grad wrote:
Um... Ever heard of Gail Goodrich? L.A. High School Player of the Year 1961 His H.S. team undefeated his senior year. Scored 29 points in the city final. 1963-64 his UCLA team was undefeated, 30-0, and won Nat. Champs. Next year they won again and Goodrich scored 42 in the final game against Michigan. As a 6 foot tall guard.
Lakers 1971-72. Goodrich averaged 26 per game and Lakers won 33 games in a row. Won the NBA Champ. in 5 games against the Lakers. Had there been a 3 pt. shot then he would have ave. over 30/game, easily.
BTW Goodrich actually DRIBBLED the ball. That is he kept his hand on top the ball as the rules stated. He didn't palm every dribble and carry the ball which nowadays accounts for many player's 'great moves'.
Attn NBA, START CALLING PALMING THE BALL.
I think he is more famous for the tire company he started after retirement.
Stephen's old man, Mr Dellbert Curry, was an amazing shooter. If there had been a 4 point line he would have been the best.
Not even close.
Pete Maravich
Larry Bird
And some guy named Jordan
The hook shot of Kareem was even more impressive, dominating, and unstoppable. I really think he is underrated and may be better than Jordan although Jordan was such an icon.
Wise old coach wrote:
And some guy named Jordan
Oh please. Perimeter defense sucked during Jordan's time. Defenses then were slow & post focused. Today's NBA is fast paced, perimeter focused, guard focused making it much harder for shooters. Defenders today would be all up in Jordan's face making him fire off more air balls than you could imagine.
Yes, I think Steph Curry is the best ever. I've never seen someone consistently land improbable 30 footers in big situations like him. Not even close. This also has the effect t of drawing out the D and opening up the lanes. In my view, he's not in the Wilt, LeBron, MJ conversation, but a historically special player indeed.
ladjksfa wrote:
Wise old coach wrote:
And some guy named Jordan
Oh please. Perimeter defense sucked during Jordan's time. Defenses then were slow & post focused. Today's NBA is fast paced, perimeter focused, guard focused making it much harder for shooters. Defenders today would be all up in Jordan's face making him fire off more air balls than you could imagine.
Go back and watch the film, junior.
That finals matchup with clyde drexler showed just how deadly Jordan was from outside.
And the defense then was better than today's wussy ball. The pistons would have knocked curry out of games with their rough play.
Laimbeer and Rodman would tear LeBron up.
Wise old coach wrote:
ladjksfa wrote:
Oh please. Perimeter defense sucked during Jordan's time. Defenses then were slow & post focused. Today's NBA is fast paced, perimeter focused, guard focused making it much harder for shooters. Defenders today would be all up in Jordan's face making him fire off more air balls than you could imagine.
Go back and watch the film, junior.
That finals matchup with clyde drexler showed just how deadly Jordan was from outside.
And the defense then was better than today's wussy ball. The pistons would have knocked curry out of games with their rough play.
Laimbeer and Rodman would tear LeBron up.
They were physical in the paint but very slow, especially at the perimeter. Terrible defense compared to now. Had to resort to a more physical play because they lacked athleticism. It's like high school vs college players.
Goodness, LeBron & Curry would have a field day with that crew because they couldn't come close to defending them. It'd be an offensive feast. LeBron can be physical if needed. I actually think he'd do better playing in that time against slow big guys. Now he's like PF who has the quickness of PG/SG. Imagine the nightmare he'd be on defense or offense against sloths like Laimbeer or McHale
Seriously, this argument of the 90s ball being physical for LeBron is laughable. Charles Barkley was a dominant power forward. Now you take LeBron, who has the same height and weight as Barkley, and put him there? It would be a joke.
I feel like people think athletes are better now than a while back but I don’t think that’s true.
Like in track, someone like Seb Coe could still blast all the guys in todays 1500m Finals. Also, he could drop a 1:41 too.
Why would someone like Jordan not be dominate nowadays, yet someone like Seb Coe or Mike Tyson could still be top of their game today?
And yes, Steph is incredible. I was having this convo with my friends earlier. I don’t think shooting is a physical gift, but a mental skill. He must have learned to shoot that well from his father giving him pro tips from an early age, much like Tiger Woods.
Wise old coach wrote:
Not even close.
Pete Maravich
Larry Bird
And some guy named Jordan
Jordan was an all-time great but I don't recall him making a lot of 30 foot shots off the dribble with an almost instant release.
In my opinion Curry is the best long-range shooter ever, LeBron the best overall player and KD the best offensive player. Although I wonder how many points Maravich would have scored at LSU with the 3 point shot.
He definitely has the quickest release.
I think Klay Thompson is actually a better shooter than Curry.
elviejo wrote:
I think Klay Thompson is actually a better shooter than Curry.
Not a bad thought.
......But Steph Curry is the best shooter in the NBA. Maybe ever. Pioneering range, quick release, great balance, form. Part of what distinguishes him from other great shooters such as Dennis Scott, Steve Nash, Larry Bird, Ray Allen, etc, is his handle. His handle allows him to create around the 3 pt line in heavy defensive traffic. He's definitely not one of the greatest players ever, but he sure may be the best shooter ever.