On Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, Steph Curry rose up behind the arc and nailed his second three-pointer in the first quarter, something we’re very accustomed to seeing by the greatest shooter in NBA history.
But the net splashing with 7:33 on the clock was more than just a shot. It made Curry the NBA’s all-time three-point leader, a mark that might never be broken, especially in the manner that Curry did it.
It was Curry’s 2,974th three-pointer, pushing him past Ray Allen for the all-time record.
And he did it in 789 games, 511 fewer than Allen.
“The way that it happened: Wigs came off a screen, I kind of floated back to the 3-point line. I didn’t think I was getting the ball. He hit me,” said Curry. “I thought about nothing. I just let it go. After that, the emotions started kicking. So, I just wanted to let it come. It was a pretty special moment.”
Steph’s emotions erupted as he ran down the court screaming in joy. A few seconds later the game was stopped and his teammates, coaches, father and Ray Allen greeted him with hugs and congratulations.
It was a special moment for all who saw it and watched him develop from a skinny player at Davidson to one of the greatest players in NBA history.
But after the game, while Steph and his crew celebrated in Manhattan, a ridiculous debate bubbled up.
Who’s better- Steph or LeBron?
What?
It was, comically, debated across sports media. And they were serious about it.
Steph Curry just set a historic mark, one that will only increase. Yet for some reason a select few want to compare his career and impact to another NBA great at a different position.
This is par for the course, particularly in basketball, so it’s not that surprising. For every stat LeBron racks up, the inevitable GOAT debate involving him and Michael Jordan flares up.
But why this debate? Why can’t we just celebrate Curry instead of comparing him and LeBron?
We should appreciate Curry breaking the record and the length of time it took him to do it.
We should appreciate the fact that Curry’s shooting skills are greater than those of Allen, Reggie Miller and Larry Bird. That’s not saying they’re bad, it’s just that Curry is that much better.
Curry has changed the way players, coaches, teams and the league view range.
He’s developed an ever quicker, deadlier shot than his father, Dell Curry.
He’s made it acceptable to pull up from 30 feet.
Without Curry, Damian Lillard’s deep shots don’t get the green light. Without Curry, the current generation would not bypass 15 footers for stepback three-pointers as frequently as they do.
He’s stretched defenses while also keeping them off-balance with his crossover, stutter-step moves to the basket.
There should be no debating Steph vs. LeBron. They play different positions and compete for titles but they are not in contention in the shooting category.
Their impact both on and off the court is undeniable, but Curry’s performance on Tuesday night has nothing to do with that. That night revolves solely around the fact that Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history and he set a mark that might not ever be challenged.
So let’s just celebrate what Steph accomplished without marring it through this ridiculously manufactured debate.
