Steph Curry isn’t just one of the NBA’s biggest stars, he’s also one of the most beloved.
His easy-going personality and electric play on the basketball court make him a fan-favorite among the NBA community. Has this love blinded us from the truth?
For years, many have called Curry a top-two player in the game based on the impact he makes on the basketball floor. When he played with KD on the team, it was Steph who was seen as the alpha. On ESPN’s First Take, however, Stephen A. Smith insisted it was only by likeability that we believed the illusion he was ever better than 2x Finals MVP, Kevin Durant.
“No way in hell was there ever going to be a time where Kevin Durant received more love than Steph Curry. Here’s where Kevin Durant, in my opinion, probably had a problem: people, because you love Steph Curry, you tried to act like Steph Curry was better than Kevin Durant. And that was never the case. Kevin Durant was the better player, Kevin Durant was the best player on the Golden State Warriors.
There has not been a time when Kevin Durant was a worse player than Steph Curry.”
It is true that Kevin Durant is much more well-rounded than Steph while also being an elite scorer. Last season, Durant averaged 26 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game on 52% shooting. Curry, meanwhile, put up 27 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 47% shooting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPdbuLGOQCY
On the defensive end, Durant gets the nod. Steph just can’t compete with KD’s size and athleticism.
In the end, it seems Stephen A.’s words ring true. Steph may be the best shooter in the game, but Durant is the better all-around player. Unfortunately, it could be months until he’s given then chance to prove it.
