Stephen Curry: Taking Greatness for Granted
When the three point arch was established in the NBA in 1979, it completely changed the role of guards. Not only were they responsible for running the offense and making plays for the team, now they were given the challenge of making a jump shot from nearly twenty-five feet away from the basket. Back in the days it really proved difficult for players to make such an adjustment to their game, but now it has become an essential part of nearly every player’s game. Part of the blame for this type of movement is given to Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry.
Curry is simply a phenomenal point guard that will be remembered through time. He is a great facilitator, leader, and most of all a phenomenal shooter. Honestly, I don’t think the league has ever seen someone with such success around the three point arch. Shooting 42% from the three is already insane enough for any type of player, but when you compare it to how many threes Curry has taken in this season it is just mind blowing. With 209 made three pointers out of 493 attempted Curry is widely known as the league’s best shooter especially when you consider just how far away he is shooting from the basket. If you ask any coach or player where you should shoot a three point shot from they will usually say right on the line and in the corners because it is the shortest distance. However, Curry like to take a different approach to his shooting game. Just about every shot he takes from the three point is both off the dribble and five to seven feet behind the arch which gives him even more credit to how ridiculous his shot consistency is.
Now, if you look at the technique Curry uses when he shoots the ball you will notice two things right off the bat. One, his shot release is insanely quick and nearly impossible to predict. And two, you cannot give the man any space when guarding him. What I mean when I say that you can’t give him any space is that he will not hesitate to shoot the ball when he sees an opportunity. The amount of confidence that he has when the ball is in his hands is genuinely awe inspiring. If he thinks that he can make it, he’s going to shoot it. Not to mention that this creates multiple problems for other teams. For example, if a big man comes to set him a screen it is more than likely going to end up with a deep three from Curry. However, if they try to double team Curry is more than capable of throwing a dime pass to his teammates.
Truly, Stephen Curry is a future Hall of Fame player. His ability to not only provide consistent scoring from behind the arch, but to also control the speed of the game simply makes him an enjoyable player to watch. Also, he is a player that many smaller kids can relate to because he shows them that anyone can shoot the ball effectively. Furthermore, there will be a time when Curry is no longer in the league so it is important that we do not take his greatness for granted. When that time comes we will be able to look back at all of his accomplishments and know exactly why he is the greatest shooter of all time.
