Many critics of the modern NBA often slam Stephen Curry for the impact he has had on the game. Curry is considered the greatest shooter of all time, and he is also responsible for the NBA’s increased reliance on the three-point shot.
Because Curry made the shot look so easy, many teams decided to rely on the shot to try and compensate and find similar success. But Stephen A. Smith believes another NBA legend is far more responsible for changing the game for the worse.
During yesterday’s episode of First Take, ‘Mad Dog’ Chris Russo blamed Stephen Curry for the NBA’s current state. Stephen A. Smith defended Curry, noting that he did nothing but his own job.
He actually explained how Michael Jordan, through no fault of his own, made the NBA worse, because the game was more individualized after him, as opposed to it being a more team game before his impact (2:20 onwards).
Stephen A. Smith: “It’s not Steph Curry’s fault because Steph Curry can shoot. He changed the game. No, he elevated to a point where it was acceptable because you’re looking for somebody to produce somewhere close in the vicinity of what he does and what Klay Thompson does to a slightly lesser degree… My brother, the guy I love so much, that I believe is the greatest player to ever play. Michael Jordan is responsible as much as anybody for changing the game for the worse. This is throwing no shade on Michael Jordan, he is the greatest ever in my estimation. He was so phenomenal that the NBA marketed the individual, the audience gravitated towards the individual, and the game became a bit more individualized. Because people wanted to be like Mike. Before Mike, you had Bird and Magic… My point is, you were thinking team. Until Jordan elevated it to another level. From Jordan, you had the Kobes, the Vince Carters, the others that came along thereafter. The individualization of the sport, particularly because of the money that came with it, became more of a focal point.”
Smith was not slamming Michael Jordan but just pointed out that his individual brilliance allowed the game to become more individual-oriented. Whereas Stephen Curry elevated the game to a point where it was acceptable to focus on shooting because of his natural talent.
Both Curry and Jordan are credited with revolutionizing the NBA. Jordan’s talent allowed the NBA to become extremely popular, and expand into multiple countries. Whereas Curry’s incredible shooting ability has caused the NBA to become more shooting-oriented than it was in the past.
