Some people might still debate it. Yes, it's still early in his career. But there is a valid - more than valid - case for the fact that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry may be the best shooter that ever lived. Curry nailed his 1,000th three-pointer Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. He reached the milestone faster than any player in NBA history. It took Dennis Scott 457 games. Curry did it in 368. The baby-faced son of former NBA sharp shooter Dell Curry, has led the NBA in three-pointer made and attempted the last two seasons. He also holds the league record for most threes made in a single season. And if they kept the statistic, Curry would probably lead the world in three-pointers made off the dribble.
Curry isn't just a shooter anymore. He's a magician. The basketball is a prop. He's been honing his craft nearly his entire life. His dad played 16 seasons in the league. Curry, who is averaging nearly 23 points and 8 assists this season, was there for it all. But he's not the stand-up shooter his dad was. His ball-handling skills are worthy of streetball legend.
His left-handed behind-the-back passes are enough to force his coach, Steve Kerr, another great shooter, to scratch his head while the crowd ooh's and ah's. Take, for example, one sequence this week where Curry nearly shook Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook out of his shoes before lofting a high-arching left-handed scoop layup that gently kissed the rim. In the same game, he dribbled around half of the Thunder team like a Harlem Globetrotter before sending a bounce pass between an opponent's legs.
Before the season, when Curry was still playing with Team USA in the World Cup, the 27-year-old guard said he wanted to improve on every part of his game. He especially focused on core strength, knowing at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he's still considered small in this league. But he's playing as big as anyone. For the record, Curry only made his first All-Star game last season. This season he's in the race for Most Valuable Player. And by the way, the Warriors (28-5) have the best record in the NBA.