Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 4. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry will be written into the history books as one of the greatest offensive players of all-time. Very few individuals have changed the game more than Curry. He has changed how coaches coach, how GMs build teams, how scouts evaluate talent, and even how players play. If not for Curry and the Golden State dynasty, we could be watching a very different NBA product in 2021-22.
There’s not much to say about Curry that hasn’t already been said. If anything, he’s underrated by now. The Kevin Durant years made some people forget just how prolific Curry is. He was arguably the best player on those teams, but he can blend into the background more than any other superstar. And not in a bad way. Curry’s off-ball movement and shooting gravity allow him to impact the game in an elite manner without even touching the ball.
Last season, Curry’s production was on par with his unanimous MVP season. He didn’t win because the Warriors were middle of the road, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on Curry’s part. He averaged 32.0 points and 5.8 assists, slashing .482/.421/.916 and taking home the NBA scoring title for the second time in his career. With Klay Thompson expected to return this season, Golden State could (and should) vault right back into title contention.
Curry is not only an individually dominant player, but he’s also the ultimate complement to teammates. He makes life easier on everyone else. On the ball, he’s a great playmaker. Off the ball, he absorbs so much of the defense’s attention, and is so gifted at moving around the floor, that teammates often find open lanes to the rim because of him.