OT-Steph Curry

[Dogdeacon]

Curry is a much better ball handler than Ray ever was. Not that Ray couldn't create off the dribble, but Steph has the ball on a string.

Agreed, that's one of the ways Curry is able to both get his shot and get to the rim despite being undersized. He is also quicker. But Ray was more pure athleticism, explosive even though his dribble has always been steal-able = too high. And of course Curry is more of PG than Ray.

Curry may have a Steve Nash in his MVP years type ceiling coming if he can stay healthy. Curry's passing off the dribble mirrors Nash at his best as does Curry's 3P% (Nash shot +50% from field though which is just crazy for a guard and Curry should and does shoot more making this impossible).

Back to Ray, FWIW Ray's first 4yrs he averaged 13.4, 19.5, 17.1 and 22.1 (thereafter 22+ for 7yrs)
Curry 17.5, 18.6, 14.7, 23 -
So pretty similar trajectory with both even being injured in their 3rd years but then break-out 4th year. Just different players though even though their great 3pt shooting makes them comparable. Similar to my longevity point, I doubt Curry gets traded in his 13th year and gives up some scoring reps to become a solid defender. And even when Ray was a big-time scorer he'd occasionally do credible job on defending guys such as Allen Iverson and Kobe. Curry ain't defending much of anyone = more like Nash.

 

[aceboon]

I guess Steph is undersized when GSW goes with the 2PG set and he's forced to guard bigger players but as a PG Steph isn't undersized.

 

[nomar]

He is one guy who I was totally wrong about when he was coming out of Davidson. I never would have picked him in the lottery.

His ability to shoot off the dribble is second to none. And obviously he can catch & shoot well, too.

 

[Gurleyman]

I watched that Davidson team a lot. He would throw some passes that would make you say "wow - how did he even see that guy open?" and sometimes, that guy would miss because he wasn't athletic enough to finish at the rim. I remember everyone suggesting JJ Redick as a cautionary tale, and I couldn't believe people were making that comparison (and Redick, even though I don't like him, is a serviceable pro now - worthy of a mid-first round selection). Curry had exceptional court vision and the ability to create his own shot or score off the ball. The two players were nothing alike.

I wouldn't have bet the farm on Curry becoming an all-star, just based on his athleticism being a 6 or 7 (with Rose being a 10), but I was convinced on him being a very good pro.

On the other hand, I thought Westbrook went way too high - thinking he was just an athlete/dunker who wouldn't be able to score in the halfcourt against NBA athletes. So I whiffed there.

 

[61cygni]

While we're talking about poor predictions, I really thought Beasley was going to kill it in the NBA.

 

[PacificStorm]

Put Kemba on a good team and his passes will wow you. His current teammates could not translate on many beautiful passes he created for them this season, causing his assists and PER to be less than magnificent. Charlotte is 2-3 years away from being good.

 

[orangehomer]

i grew up as a jumpshooter and the guys I loved as a teenager were reggie miller and ray allen. that might seem as blaspheme as I am a Syracuse fan, but ray allen has always been one of my favorites. I feel like steph curry is a different evolution of a player. I don't think that either ray or reggie were guys you could build a team around and expect to win a title. curry is something different, he is a unique player in his ability to shoot and handle. I think he has more upside than either of the other guys and that says a hell of a lot.

 

[Scoe]

Stephen Curry is on a shooting level of Peter North