All hail the greatest shooter of all time: Stephen Curry
All hail the greatest shooter of all time: Stephen Curry
History was made in Madison Square Garden as the Warriors beat the Knicks 105-96
The Golden State Warriors beat the New York Knicks on the road despite arriving from Indiana the same day as the game. Don’t mention the Knicks to me ever again.
But there were some things worth mentioning from last night’s victory, including Stephen Curry cementing his place atop the all-time shooters list, making the most threes in the history of the NBA.
This moment conjured up some thoughts for me. Let’s discuss.
Reggie Miller and Ray Allen: The Pantheon of Range
Reggie and Ray are two legends, two long range provocateurs who terrified opponents with their ability to knock down bombs anytime and from anywhere. During their long careers, they were the two top-tier snipers in the history of the game. And they did it during a time when jacking questionable shots from beyond the arc could get you benched immediately, unlike the modern era where it seems like even centers are chucking with reckless abandon.
Compare their 3PA per game with the GOAT shooter Curry.
Reggie and Ray had to take their minimal attempts (relative to this era) and squeeze all the juice they could out of ‘em for their teams to be competitive. And they did it with style and precision.
Michael Jordan saw that first hand:
As did Kobe Bryant:
For Curry to pass both those guys while still being in the middle of his prime is truly mind boggling. Who knows how far Curry can stretch that new record out?
Everyone’s on Curry time
After the game Curry gifted Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala with brand spankin’ new rolexes as appreciation for them being his ride-or-dies during his spectacular career, with Klay Thompson’s rollie still to be given.
THIS GUY IS A CLASS ACT! Green and Iguodala have assisted on the most Curry three-pointers, a testament to their unselfishness, high-IQ, excellent passing ability, and psychic connection with Unanimous. Coach Steve Kerr’s offense maximized all three of those guys gifts to create a synergy that has been damn near unbeatable in the modern era.
Green, Iguodala, and Thompson aren’t the only ones who should be getting a fancy watch depending on who you ask lmao.
Mark These Words
Now I know Coach Jackson rubbed Golden State’s ownership the wrong as well as irritating the fanbase with his offensive philosophy.
But he put the Warriors back on the map by entrusting Curry and his running mate Klay Thompson almost a decade ago, uttering what at the time was considered blasphemous:
Curry and Thompson cemented themselves as the greatest shooting backcourt with the titles and records to boot. That’s why the NBA should be terrified about the Warriors’ hot start this year with Thompson nearing his grand return from two years of crippling injuries. He can shoot right there alongside Steph, Ray, and Reggie on any given night…maybe even better when he’s hot. He does own the records for most triples in a regular season or playoff game and the most points in a quarter!!!
Defense Wins Championships
The Dubs were able to get this win despite traveling hardship in large part because their defense is hella stingy. They held the Knicks to 36% shooting from the field (30-of-83).
If you want to see how dominant this Golden State defense has been this season, go to Basketball Reference and check how many times an opponent has shot 50% or better from the field on them.
THAT’S INSANE.
The Athletic has a great ($$) article polling retired players on a bunch of questions;
I thought this one was pretty interesting:
7. 3-point shooting is a bigger part of the NBA than it’s ever been since the 3-point line was introduced beginning with the 1979-80 season. Is the prevalence of the 3-point shot a positive or a negative for the current quality of play?
Big positive: 34.7%
Slight positive: 16.1%
No change: 1.7%
Slight negative: 30.5%
Big negative: 15.3%
Just different: 1.7%
There's a lot of grousing right now about how bad it is for the game and everyone can't be Steph (fair) so I thought it was interesting to see a poll of retired players showing a pretty different perspective, with only 15.3% saying it's a big negative.
A lot more at the link: https://theathletic.com/3014155/2021/12/15/nba-retired-players-survey-on-steph-giannis-lebron-future-stars-top-coaches-rule-changes-how-the-game-has-evolved/
Kevin Knox entering the Health and Safety Protocols. Curry out in NYC after Tuesday's game partying with KD and others. Warriors have avoided it so far but COVID does seem to be getting closer and closer.
Wiggins' probable reluctance to get a booster shot is an under the radar big story, they don't really have any other SFs you'd be comfortable starting right now (although perhaps Klay could fill in once he's back). Hopefully they can convince him to get it.