Two-time NBA champion Mario Chalmers has played alongside some of the best in the business. As a competent point guard himself, Chalmers’ familiarity with the role gives him expertise while speaking about some of the greats of the game.
In a recent episode of the “No Limit!” podcast with Iman Shumpert, the two-time NBA champion revealed his Mount Rushmore of NBA point guards. While he made some solid mentions, he also had a major omission. He said:
“So I got killed the other day when I said this. Because I said I’m a Kyrie fan, I had Kyrie up there. But my personal, I had Magic, CP, and John Stockton. I got between Kyrie, because I’m a Kyrie fan, and then JKidd, because JK was a real point guard.”
Chalmers’ list is impressive. Each of the mentioned players has a solid claim to being among the best point guards the game has seen. However, the exclusion of Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry does appear to be jarring in this regard.
With four NBA titles, a Finals MVP, 11 All-Star appearances, and 11 All-NBA selections among several significant career accolades, Curry is by far one of the most accomplished players, especially in the modern era.
Beyond his achievements and awards, the Warriors guard is also viewed as one of the most influential players in the history of the game.
Just as pioneers like Magic Johnson, who redefined the role of the point guard, Curry had his own impact on the game. By making the three-point shot a staple in his offensive arsenal, he reinvented the game, creating the template for a new scoring approach and giving rise to a completely new generation of young guards.
Chalmers’ decision to exclude Curry did not come from a place of personal bias, as one of the primary topics of discussion on the podcast was whether he could be considered a true point guard. This in itself gives rise to different narratives.
Curry’s gifts as a shooter often overshadow other aspects of his game. His dribbling, passing, and even his finishing under the rim are often overlooked, but it is evident that he is elite in almost every category. Additionally, his unrelenting off-ball movement, complemented by his supreme endurance, propels him into a different tier of greatness.
At 36 years old, the Warriors guard is still considered one of the best point guards in the game. Although there are expectations that he will experience a steady decline at this stage, as he enters his 17th season in the league, there is enough evidence to suggest that Curry is capable of remaining productive.
With championship aspirations driving him forward, Curry will head into the upcoming season with reinvigorated effort.
