It is within our human nature to want to compare things against one another. We want to compare every female singer to Beyoncé, we want to compare every NFL linebacker to Ray Lewis, and we want to compare every great NBA player to Jordan. When do we stop creating comparison charts and just let folks be great? There’s room for more than one, and here’s ten reasons why Steph Curry’s greatness needs no comparison.
1. There is only one Wardell Stephen “Steph” Curry.
Despite our views on his name being Wardell, we can agree that he is a great player. That agreement should stop there and not spark up comparison charts. Every player has their own special skill set that sets them apart from the rest and makes them one of the greats. So to try to compare Steph Curry’s impeccable skill set to Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, or even Jesus Shuttlesworth himself ( Ray Allen), diminishes the fact that they all are amazing players. Let the man be great!
2. He doesn’t need 4 quarters to score 50 points.
According to Basketball Reference there have been 17 total games since the 1983-84 season in which a player has scored at least 50 points in 36 minutes or fewer. Curry scored 53 points against the Pelicans, 51 points against the Magic, and 51 against the Wizards this season. There is no slowing down for this powerful player.
3. He leads by example.
Curry is a prime example of “I’ll show you what Im willing to do first and then see if you can follow from there.” – Ray Lewis. Unlike Kobe and Jordan he isn’t the type of leader to get in his teammates faces to get results and push them to be better players. Playing next to him makes you have to step your game up and be a better player. We see what it did for Klay Thompson. Lets go Splash Brothers!
4. He practices like he plays.
Fabulous shot of Steph Curry’s game-tying shot via Getty. Also: EYES CLOSED!?!?! pic.twitter.com/jTfpqDJhxl
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) April 24, 2015
Motivational speaker Eric Thomas entitled a track on his latest project Steph Curry and discusses how in practice he made 77 three point shots in PRACTICE. What kind of machine are you that you make 77 three point shots in practice?!?! Practice pays off for Curry because in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans following that practice, his team was down by 20 and he came back shooting straight 3’s with his eyes closed. HIS EYES WERE CLOSED. The list could honestly stop here.
5. He is more than a pure shooter.
He’s more than just a point guard. He’s more than just a pure shooter. No matter what situation you put him in on the court he supersedes the expectations every time. President Obama even said “he’s one of the greatest shooters” he’s seen.
6. He has a boldness for Christ and traditional values.
During his MVP acceptance speech Curry wasn’t ashamed to be outspoken about his relationship with Christ. “People should know who I represent and why I am who I am, and that’s because of my Lord and Savior.” He also is known for pounding his chest and pointing up to God as a reminder that he has a heart for God and is playing for God. And if thats not enough to convince you, you can catch him having prayer meetings on the sidelines with some of your favorite players like Cam Newton.
7. He is his own historical category.
2x NBA MVP Steve Nash said it best:
I wouldn’t compare him to Michael Jordan. I wouldn’t compare anybody to Michael.
But I would say Steph is turning into a historical category of his own, in a way.
He’s in the prime of his career and will be for a few years and the way he’s improving and the level he’s playing at is … I think he’s unlike anyone else. His ability to make shots and still handle the play-making duties is historic.I think you’d be hard pressed to find a player more skilled than him in the history of the game.
8. He can make some of the best of the league look like the worst of the league.
Steph Curry making Kawhi Leonard look dumb. WOW pic.twitter.com/7QkUjRayEN
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) January 26, 2016
Remember that game where he made the defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard look dumb on the court? Enough said.
9. His team is going to do what only one other team has ever done and it’s not because he’s like Jordan.
The Warriors may be looking to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record of 72 wins but its not because their team is the same team as the Bulls. Jordan had Pippen and Curry has Klay Thompson. The Splash brothers are serving up some serious heat on that court as great players within their own individual rights and we should respect that.
10. He alone brought Under Armour $14 billion dollars.
Take that Nike! Steph Curry is the poster child for Under Armour and ringing in more cash than any other player in their brand. Steph Curry’s merchandise has the potential to sell more than Jordan’s. Let that sink in for a minute.
We know that Stephen Curry is one of the greatest things to ever play in the NBA, but we should let him be that without having to compare him to other greats. We look forward to seeing how he finishes out this season and hopefully it ends with him along with his teammates breaking the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record.
