At 37 years old and preparing for his 17th NBA season, Stephen Curry is still striking fear into opponents. According to a recent survey of NBA coaches and executives, Curry was voted the best American player in the league today, receiving 11 votes to edge out Anthony Edwards (8 votes) and Donovan Mitchell (1 vote).
The survey came with a twist. Under normal circumstances, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum would have dominated this conversation. He was fresh off a fourth straight First-Team All-NBA nod and had helped lead the Celtics to a championship a year ago.
But with Tatum sidelined due to injury, the question of “best American player” was opened up, and Curry’s enduring greatness put him back on top.
One Eastern Conference scout summed it up simply: “He’s still the guy who scares me most.”
Curry’s numbers alone don’t fully capture why coaches and executives still view him as the most dangerous American player. His ability to warp defenses remains unmatched. Even at 37, the moment he crosses half court, the gravity he commands creates openings for his teammates that few others in basketball history have ever produced.
Last season, Curry averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 40.8% from three on 11.2 attempts per game. Those numbers would be extraordinary for any player, but for someone nearly two decades into their career, they’re historic.
His conditioning and off-ball movement continue to separate him from other elite scorers, ensuring that Golden State’s offense revolves around his presence every second he’s on the floor.
Anthony Edwards’ rise has made him a popular candidate to inherit the “best American player” label. At 24, Edwards is already a three-time All-Star and fresh off leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year.
His athleticism, shot-making, and growing leadership have made him the face of the next generation of American stars. Edwards garnered eight votes in the poll, a clear sign that many in the league see him as Curry’s eventual successor.
Donovan Mitchell, who earned one vote, remains one of the league’s most consistent scoring guards. His ability to take over games in high-pressure moments keeps him in the conversation, though not at the level of Curry or Edwards in the eyes of decision-makers.
The vote also highlights a generational shift. LeBron James, about to turn 41 and entering his 23rd season, and Kevin Durant, 36 and entering year 17, were not part of the discussion. While both remain elite, the league is beginning to move on from their dominance. Curry, however, has managed to extend his reign in a way that keeps him at the center of every scouting report.
The results show a league in transition, but also one where Curry’s brilliance still stands above the rest. For all the young talent coming into their prime, it’s the 37-year-old sharpshooter, the man who redefined basketball with his shooting and off-ball genius, who still makes coaches lose sleep.
Even after four championships, two MVPs, and countless records, Curry’s peers still see him as the best America has to offer. And until Anthony Edwards or another rising star fully takes the mantle, Curry remains the gold standard.
