Stephen Curry has been on a path to collect the accolades he has been missing. The noise about him not having a Finals MVP award was shut out when the point guard averaged 31.2 points per game in the 2022 NBA Finals after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics. This summer, Curry added his first and only Olympic gold medal to his resume by leading Team USA in scoring (14.8 PPG). Even with a stacked resume, he might need a fifth NBA championship to climb the GOAT rankings and if he does manage to achieve that before retirement, we break down where he might rank.
Stephen Curry Won’t Crack The Top 5
1. Michael Jordan – 6 Championships, 6 Finals MVPs, 5 MVPs, 14x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 10 Scoring Titles, Defensive Player of the Year
2. LeBron James – 4 Championships, 4 Finals MVPs, 4 MVPs, 20x All-Star, 20x All-NBA Team Selection, 1 Scoring Title, 1 Assist Title
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 6 Championships, 2 Finals MVPs, 6 MVPs, 19x All-Star, 15x All-NBA Team Selection
4. Kobe Bryant – 5 Championships, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA Team Selection, 2 Scoring Titles
5. Magic Johnson – 5 Championships, 3 Finals MVPs, 3 MVPs, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 4 Assist Titles
Stephen Curry Resume: 4 Championships, 1 Finals MVP, 2 MVPs, 10x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 2 Scoring Titles
Stephen Curry’s legacy is undeniably remarkable, but even with a potential fifth NBA championship, he does not crack the top five in the all-time GOAT rankings. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson have set an extraordinary standard with their unique dominance and there is no denying that.
Each of these legends has a resume that combines individual accolades, multiple championships, and a level of influence that transcends the sport. While Curry’s influence on modern basketball, particularly his revolutionization of the three-point shot, is unmatched, his overall resume still falls short of these five icons.
Curry’s career achievements are impressive, including four championships, two MVPs, and a much-coveted Finals MVP. However, the narrative around his success is complicated by the presence of Kevin Durant during two of those title runs, which some argue diminishes Curry’s role as the undisputed leader.
Additionally, while Curry has evolved into a more complete player, his impact on the defensive end and his status as a “natural” point guard do not compare to the all-around dominance of someone like Magic Johnson, who was a triple-double machine and the greatest passer ever. Curry also lacks the two-way dominance of players like Jordan or Kobe, who were elite on both ends of the court.
Moreover, the top five players are defined by their ability to carry their teams in various ways, whether through scoring, playmaking, or defense, and often without needing a stacked roster around them. Curry’s reliance on an optimized system and supporting cast, especially the presence of fellow All-Stars like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, and the recruitment of Durant, slightly diminishes his standing compared to the top five.
His contributions are game-changing, but they do not reach the all-encompassing dominance seen in the careers of Jordan, LeBron, Kareem, Kobe, and Magic. Even with a fifth ring, Curry’s place in the GOAT rankings remains just outside this elite group.
Is Stephen Curry Ranked From 6th to 10th Position?
6. Bill Russell – 11 Championships, 5 MVPs, 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection
7. Larry Bird – 3 Championships, 2 Finals MVPs, 3 MVPs, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection
8. Wilt Chamberlain – 2 Championships, 1 Finals MVP, 4 MVPs, 13x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 7 Scoring Titles
9. Shaquille O’Neal – 4 NBA Championships, 3 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 15x All-Star, 14x All-NBA Team Selection, 2x Scoring Champion
10. Tim Duncan – 5 NBA Championships, 3 Finals MVPs, 2 MVPs, 15x All-Star, 15x All-NBA Team Selection
Stephen Curry Resume: 4 Championships, 1 Finals MVP, 2 MVPs, 10x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 2 Scoring Titles
When considering Stephen Curry’s place among the all-time greats, it’s clear that his legacy has him close for the top 10. However, ranking him between 6th and 10th remains challenging given the achievements of other NBA legends. Players like Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, and Tim Duncan not only dominated their eras but also compiled resumes that were difficult to surpass. Even with a fifth championship, Curry will find it hard to crack the top 10.
Russell’s 11 championships and defensive prowess, Bird’s all-around game and clutch performances, Chamberlain’s statistical dominance, Shaq’s unstoppable force, and Duncan’s consistency and leadership make it difficult for Curry to leapfrog any of them, even with a fifth championship.
Curry’s case for entering the top 10 relies heavily on his transformative impact on the game and his unparalleled shooting ability. He has redefined the modern NBA with his deep shooting and spacing, and his back-to-back MVP seasons, including the unanimous MVP in 2016, are legendary. Yet, the dominance and versatility of players like Shaq, Duncan, and Bird, who excelled on both ends of the floor and carried their teams through multiple Finals MVP performances, place them slightly ahead of Curry.
Furthermore, the sheer magnitude of achievements by Russell, Wilt, and Duncan in terms of championships, MVPs, All-NBA selections, and even scoring titles provides a more rounded resume than Curry’s, even with the potential for a fifth ring. While Curry’s influence on the game is undeniable and his resume is stellar, cracking the top 10 would require not just another title, but possibly more Finals MVPs or individual awards.
Is Stephen Curry On The List Between 11 To 15?
11. Hakeem Olajuwon – 2 NBA Championships, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 12x All-Star, 12x All-NBA Team Selection
12. Stephen Curry – 4 Championships, 1 Finals MVP, 2 MVPs, 10x All-Star, 10x All-NBA Team Selection, 2 Scoring Titles
13. Oscar Robertson – 1 NBA Championship, 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 6x Assist Titles
14. Jerry West – 1 NBA Championship, 1 Finals MVP, 14x All-Star, 12x All-NBA Team Selection, 1x Scoring Title, 1x Assist Title
15. Kevin Durant – 2 NBA Championships, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, 14x All-Star, 11x All-NBA Team Selection, 4 Scoring Titles
Stephen Curry has firmly established himself as a top-15 player in NBA history, and his resume supports this ranking. With four NBA championships, two MVPs (including the only unanimous MVP in league history), and a transformative impact on the game, Curry’s influence is undeniable.
He redefined the modern NBA with his three-point shooting, making him one of the most influential players of all time. However, when comparing his resume to those ranked between 11th and 15th, there are still debates about where exactly Curry falls. Players like Hakeem Olajuwon, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Kevin Durant all possess unique resumes that highlight their greatness in different ways.
Hakeem Olajuwon’s two championships won without another All-Star on his team, stand out as one of the most impressive achievements in NBA history. His Finals MVPs and dominant two-way play make him a top-11 player, and Curry’s resume, while spectacular, lacks the same level of defensive impact and Finals dominance. Oscar Robertson’s triple-double prowess and his role in revolutionizing the point guard position also set a high bar, but his single championship slightly lowers his rank compared to Curry.
Jerry West, despite his losing record in the Finals, is immortalized as “The Logo” and was a dominant scorer and playmaker, though Curry’s greater success in the Finals gives him an edge. Kevin Durant’s resume, with two championships and Finals MVPs alongside Curry, also solidifies his top-15 status, though his career is marked by the controversial decision to join a 73-win team.
Right now, Curry’s resume places him solidly in the top 15, and a fifth championship would certainly boost his standing, potentially allowing him to challenge and likely usurp Olajuwon for the 11th spot. While Curry had significant help throughout his career, including playing alongside Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, five rings would be an undeniable achievement that could place him just outside the top 10.
Currently, Curry’s position in the top 15 is secure, and with another championship, he could legitimately be considered the 11th greatest player of all time, surpassing legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Kevin Durant for good as he gets closer to the top 10.
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