Steph Curry was in his bag that day.

In yet another dazzling display, this time against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, the Golden State Warriors star proved his unique talent once again.

With 12 seconds remaining on the shot clock and about 9 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Steph produced a staggering display of basketball wizardry, evading and dribbling through multiple defenders with the precision of an assassin, before executing a sleek step back to hit a difficult three to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

Perhaps one of the most amusing parts of the sequence was how Curry’s coach, Steve Kerr, reacted; going from sheer frustration that Curry had attempted such an audacious play to being completely in awe of Curry’s brilliance and execution.

“Chagrined and gratified, within like three seconds. That pretty much sums it up,” Kerr joked at the post-game news conference.

“Nothing he does surprises me anymore. He does stuff like that a lot.”

Curry’s Rise

Curry’s ascension to elite status began during his playing days at Davidson College where he emerged from relative obscurity.

Bigger colleges such Duke, North Carolina, and his father’s alma mater, Virginia Tech, were hesitant to recruit him, claiming he was too small and that his skills would not translate against superior athletes. Davidson coach Bob McKillop, however, saw something else: a special talent.

“I saw brilliance,” said McKillop when asked about his initial thoughts on Curry’s play during an interview with ESPN.

Following a slow start to his NCAA career, Curry quickly found his rhythm, powering through his competition with dynamic three-point shooting abilities, otherworldly vision, ball-handling, and passing skills, a relentless grit, and a calmness and humility that seemed to power his supreme confidence.

Curry’s penchant for achieving the miraculous on the court began to draw attention. He became a global star during his team’s unexpected run in the 2008 NCAA tournament his sophomore season.

Davidson eventually lost to the mighty Kansas Jayhawks (the eventual champions) in a very close game, narrowly missing out on a spot in the coveted semifinals (also known as the Final 4).

It was a crushing loss for Curry. But it marked just the beginning of a storied career that would go on to revolutionize and change the trajectory of an entire sport.

After three tremendous years at Davidson, Curry’s star had burned too bright for the collegiate level. He set his sights on the NBA and was later drafted as the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft.

A Star is Born

The North Carolina native proved he belonged in the NBA almost instantly, showcasing the long-range shooting, movement, intelligence, guile, finishing, and mental fortitude that had propelled him past mortal status in college.

However, by the 2011-2012 season, his young professional career was nearly derailed by niggling injuries, so much so, that the Warriors held discussions about trading their once undroppable star. But just like other difficult periods in his career, Steph rose to the challenge with unmitigated determination.

He locked in, becoming one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and ushering in a three-point revolution.

His abilities transcended the game: He executed deep-range three pointers with unparalleled efficiency. He deployed sharp vision and sophisticated dribbling to unlock defenses. And his vision, tireless movement off the ball, ability to finish tough shots, and unselfishness were unrivaled.

“He’s my favorite player,” said Shaquille O’Neal, one of the greatest NBA players of all time and widely considered one of the most dominant players in basketball history. He added that there should be serious consideration when including Steph in all-time best lists and conversations.

“I’ve played for 20 years before that, I’ve never seen a guy like him.”

Kevin Durant, also considered one of the greatest to ever play the game, shared similar sentiments: “All-time, all-time great. The greatest ever at his position. Top five ever.”

Steph’s unprecedented approach has also led to success.

He’s helped create a dynasty at Golden State, winning 4 championships in the last 8 years. He’s also earned an NBA finals MVP, 2 NBA Most Valuable Player awards, 8 All-NBA Star selections, and an NBA All Star MVP.

He’s also a two-time NBA scoring leader, a seven-time leader in three-point field goals, and a four-time free-throw percentage leader.

Steph has also set a number of NBA records, including the most three pointers (402) made in the regular season, the record for most three-pointers in a single playoffs, the most three-pointers made in a finals game, and the most consecutive regular season and playoff games with a made three pointer.

For these reasons, among many, Steph is considered to be one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Final Thoughts on Curry

Curry’s impact on basketball cannot be overstated.

Possessing otherworldly ball-handling skills and shooting abilities, the Warriors legend has had a profound impact on the complexities of the game, inspiring a new generation of players.

His dedication, work ethic, sportsmanship, individual accolades, leadership, ability to elevate his team, and his value both on and off the court, have transformed him into a genuine icon and set a new standard for aspiring athletes.

So what are your views on Steph Curry? What do you think about his status in the NBA? Is he an NBA GOAT? What is your favorite Curry moment?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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