![]() ![]() It’s entirely possible to appreciate the legends of the past while understanding their spots on the pyramid aren’t set in stone. Arguing that someone is right outside the top 10, across the 75 years of basketball, should never be confused with ‘disrespecting’ one of the greats. You’re required to make arguments against other legendary players, even when you don’t want to. ![]() Therein lies the issue with historical lists. Once someone sees their favorite Hall-of-Fame talent being ranked too low, or a spot below another historical player (often from a different era), you are immediately ridiculed for either not knowing basketball or not doing your research. Perhaps the most annoying component of all-time lists is the collective reaction to the order. To properly appreciate a sport’s legendary figures, it requires sifting through résumés, putting their accomplishments into perspective, and measuring how impactful they were to the game’s growth. Most players are human highlight-reels - and it’s not just because of their leaping ability or creative dunking.Īt the same time, a more enjoyable product shouldn’t erase or invalidate what older generations achieved during their playing days. Additionally, the league-wide athleticism is at a level we’ve simply never seen. The game is unquestionably more popular today than it was 20 years ago, and the offensive styles are more aesthetically-pleasing due to the three-point revolution. The tendencies and competition level are not homogenous from one era to the next. With the evolution of basketball giving fans a taste of something new every decade, context has to play an integral role in any conversation. There are far too many factors to consider and apples-to-oranges comparisons that seem unfair. A week following their coronation, it’s time to consider where this puts Curry in the NBA’s pantheon.ĭetermining the order of an historical pyramid - in any sport - is arduous. Think of how insane you have to be just to approach a double-digit point differential for eight years.Īfter the Dubs put the finishing touches on another stellar playoff run, I needed to take some time to reflect. RAPTOR = FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR model, which uses play-by-play and player-tracking data to calculate each player’s individual plus-minus measurements and wins above replacement.That’s across 605 total games, playoffs included, for an average of plus-9.4 per contest: In the last eight years, including a season in which Curry only played five games, the Warriors have outscored teams by 5,685 points with him on the floor. His greatest legacy is changing the geometry of basketball for the better, showing that you can bend defenses until they snap and unlock new scoring avenues for everyone on the floor. It’s this wonderful combination that just makes everybody want to win for him.”Ĭurry has also achieved something nobody else can say they’ve done. ![]() Totally different players, but just from a humanity standpoint, from a talent standpoint, humility, confidence. “I’ve said it many times, Steph reminds me so much of Tim Duncan. “What he does at his size is so different from the traditional ‘greats’ in this league,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after winning the 2022 title. His closest comparison is Tim Duncan – both igniting a dynasty, mastering their craft without prioritizing individual achievements, and earning reputations of professional leaders on and off the floor. Curry is this generation’s humble assassin. ![]()
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