There's a list of names you normally hear when discussing the biggest legends in the NBA. They are, of course, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. But if you talk about the last ten years, this one guy totally made a name for himself among the greats and really shifted the game. Stephen Curry, the 6'2" shooting guard from Davidson College, is beyond excellent.
Wondering what makes him stand out among the legends? You are about to find out.
Of course, no road to greatness is easy, and Curry's was no exception. He turned heads during his time at Davidson College with explosive games. Curry averaged 31 points per game and shot 47% from three-point range. Scouts remained skeptical, though. Concerns about his size, lack of physicality, and the quality of mid-level competition raised questions about whether he could make it to the NBA.
Though the Warriors struggled with a 26-56 record, Curry still shined, showcasing his incredible talent and determination. His presence on the floor had always been undeniable, dating back to his college days. Curry led the Davidson team to the Elite Eight in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, making waves in the basketball world and signaling that he was not just a player with great potential but someone destined to rewrite history.
His performances against Gonzaga and Georgetown during that tournament have since become iconic moments in basketball history, serving as the catalyst for his career. His skills were unmatched at that level, showing an amazing shooting range going beyond what college players usually produce.
The Golden State Warriors picked him seventh overall in the 2009 NBA draft. The rookie season came with flashes of brilliance, and he averaged 17.5 points and six assists while shooting a rookie record for three-pointers. Though the Warriors struggled with a 26-56 record, Curry still shined, showcasing his incredible talent and determination despite the team's challenges.
Things became tougher in the following years as continual ankle injuries forced Curry to sit out games during the 2010-2012 seasons, sparking doubts about whether his body could withstand the physical demands of the NBA. Some even labeled him a bust, pointing to his lack of strength and frequent injuries. However, Curry's true test came when he faced these challenges head-on. Instead of seeking an easy way out, his grit and determination inspired a remarkable comeback. His commitment to rehabilitating his ankle and building his physical stamina paid off,
leading to full recovery and proving that his success wasn't a fluke but the result of sustained effort and resilience.
The 2012-13 season was the biggest turnaround for Curry. Free from the injuries, he fulfilled his potential by scoring an average of 22.9 points and 6.9 assists. Simultaneously, he broke the single-season record for three-pointers by shooting 272 successfully. Along with Klay Thompson, Curry helped create the legend known as the "Splash Brothers," changing the game forever.
The 2012-13 season would be the establishment point for Curry's supremacy, but only the beginning of his reign. By 2014, Curry had become a household name, and his style had fundamentally changed the league's strategic approach. Teams in the NBA started focusing more on shooting instead of size and post-play. Many teams replicated the same kind of system the Warriors were having success with, hoping to catch up.
When Steve Kerr became the Warriors' head coach in 2014, he unlocked a new dimension in Curry's game.
In the 2014-15 season, Curry led the Warriors to their first title in four decades and won his first MVP trophy. His selfless playmaking, thrilling scoring, and leadership skills made him the NBA's best player that season. Curry had contributed well to the Warriors' transformation from a mediocre team to a title contender, and their journey was not over yet.
In the following season, he did fantastic things:
The Warriors' 73-9 record that season was the best in NBA history, surpassing the Chicago Bulls' 1995-96 record of 72 wins. Though they lost in the Finals, Curry's greatness was undeniable as they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a dramatic seven-game series. Curry and the Warriors returned victorious the following season and won two more championships in 2017 and 2018.
Steph Curry influences basketball in ways that extend well beyond a mere checklist of personal achievements. He transformed the very essence of the game. What was once a situational shot, the three-pointer, has now become the cornerstone of every team's strategy.
Under Curry, the NBA became a league of sharpshooters, with spacing and shooting preceding traditional post-play. His shooting range sometimes goes over half-court, forcing defenses to adjust in ways never seen before. Curry's offense reshaped how coaches and analysts think about team building, and arguably, the shape of the current NBA style is a consequence of his Influence.
Curry has reset the scoring benchmark by taking dominance from a distance. He makes defenders play with urgency that, ten years ago, no one would have considered. Curry's accuracy from 30 feet is almost unmatchable because he consistently makes those long-range shots, which places an immense amount of pressure on the defense to stretch further than their usual boundaries.
Yet, his influence goes way beyond the professional basketball game. Curry's shooting form and game have become the model for all the young aspiring players worldwide. From small gyms to youth leagues, young athletes now emulate Curry's quick and long-range shooting.
The resume of Steph Curry says it all:
● Four-time NBA champion: a staple in one of the most dominant dynasties in NBA history
● Two-time MVP: including the first unanimous MVP in 2016
● All-time three-point leader in the NBA: he has broken Ray Allen's record and continues to add to the list
● Nine-time Elite Player: a proof of his continuous greatness
● Revolutionary Influence: the single most influential player in modern basketball
Greatness is not just about what you achieve but what you leave behind. And Curry's legacy is, without question, one for the ages. His Influence will continue to shape the NBA for years, and his impact will be felt long after he retires. In a world where rings and accolades often define greatness, Curry has redefined greatness itself.
