Moving into the top-three of our rankings we arrive at the highest-level superstars who have proven it at the highest level time and again. Stephen Curry is an all-time great NBA legend who changed the game. At 35 Curry is still amazing still in his prime and one of the league’s most unstoppable players.
Top 25 NBA players 2023-24: No. 3 Stephen Curry
The Greatest Shooter of All Time
In December of 2021 in the historic Madison Curry broke Ray Allen’s 3-point shooting record. However, Curry had long been considered the greatest shooter of all time. Dating back to his incredible 2016 season when Steph poured in a remarkable 402 3-pointers. Curry’s range, lighting quick release, and shooting consistency make him special. Furthermore, Curry is arguably the best off-ball player of all time making him even more dominant and unguardable. This gives Curry incredible offensive gravity and impact. He is one of the rare players who truly changes a defense’s game-plan. Curry is an all-time great ball handler with good playmaking, finishing, and defense to perfect his game. As he’s aged Curry has managed to become much stronger making him better as a finisher and defender. It’s remarkable how Curry can improve even as he ages, his longevity is very impressive.
Season Recap
Following an incredible 4th championship in 2022 Curry and the Warriors’ past season was underwhelming from a team standpoint. The Warriors ultimately finished 6th in the Western Conference struggling on the road with an abysmal 11-30 record. Regardless Curry had a great season from a production, and all-around impact standpoint. Curry was named to 2nd-team All-NBA as a result.
Curry carried this momentum into the playoffs. The Warriors would beat the Kings in the first in large part due to Curry’s brilliance. During the series, Steph averaged an impressive 33 PPG. The culmination of Curry’s brilliance was an unstoppable and historic 50-point game-seven performance to eliminate the Kings. The Warriors would ultimately lose to the Lakers in the second round. The Warriors played the Lakers close losing the series in six games and Curry had another impressive series. However, the Lakers’ elite size and defense proved to be too much for Golden State to overcome.
Season Outlook: Can Curry and Warriors contend
The Warriors shocked the world this off-season by trading Jordan Poole for Chris Paul. The Paul and Curry fit is intriguing for several reasons. For one, Paul gives Curry another elite playmaker potentially improving his off-ball play and impact even more. The Warriors doubled down on their small ball identity, elite perimeter players, and theme of high IQ players. However, the Warriors lack of size and age is a concern in terms of their viability as a contender.
Regardless, the upside is there and Golden State’s experience can’t be overlooked. Furthermore, the Warriors re-signed Draymond Green this off-season maintaining their elite core in the process. The playmaking and off-ball possibilities are endless with Curry, Green, and Paul. With the core’s advanced age, it’s fair to say the Warriors have a smaller title window spanning over the next few seasons. Nevertheless, the Warriors remain an elite that can’t be counted out, especially in the playoffs. Another title would shoot Curry up the all-time rankings even more.
The Last Word
The bottom line is that Curry is a basketball legend who can fit in with just about everybody. Similar to Tim Duncan of the 2000s Curry is this generation’s unselfish and incredibly consistent star who is the leader of a dynasty. If you doubt Curry’s ranking, remember the incredible 2022 finals run and his impressive playoffs last year despite clear challenges.
