Steph Curry’s Realization of His Impact on Basketball
Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry became aware of his influence on the NBA through the rise of Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young. In 2015, former broadcaster and Warriors coach Mark Jackson controversially claimed Curry was “hurting the game,” arguing that young players focused primarily on developing their 3-point shooting at the expense of other skills.
The Growth of the Three-Point Shot
Whether Curry’s impact is seen as positive or negative remains debatable, but the fact that it exists is undeniable. Since his NBA debut, the average number of three-pointers made per game has more than doubled across the league.
Recognition Through Comparisons
On the podcast “Mind the Game” with LeBron James and Steve Nash, James asked Curry when he recognized that his style was transformative. Curry recalled:
“When [Atlanta Hawks guard] Trae Young came in the league, and that was like the first person they said was the next ‘me,’ even though he’s a different player.”
Young, known for his long-range shooting and high volume scoring at Oklahoma, was frequently compared to Curry ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft.
Curry reflected on this moment as a key point of awareness:
“That might be the first time I thought of it or really experienced what the impact was.”
Controversy and Acceptance
Curry also mentioned the backlash he faced after Mark Jackson’s comment:
“But I got that ‘you ruined the game’ question after Mark said it. Now it’s kind of tongue-in-cheek, just because you understand there is an influence.”
Author’s Summary
Steph Curry recognized the profound influence of his playing style on the NBA when rising stars like Trae Young were compared to him, marking a shift in the game's evolution centered on three-point shooting.