Huberty 1

Zachary Huberty
Eng 1102
Professor Hughes
8 March 2016
Greatest of All Time? I Think Not

For every battle and every war, there is always a general who needs to facilitate and
control the actions of their side. That person is usually considered the coach on the field who
runs plays and ensures that their side comes out on top every time. On the basketball court, that
person plays the point guard position. The point guard is essentially the best ball handler on the
team and the person who the coach entrusts to call plays on the court. Over the years we have
seen greats come through and play the position to perfection, leading their team to countless
victories and themselves to Hall of Fame positions. Isiah Lord Thomas, one of the greatest to
play the game, averaged 19.2 points per game and 9.3 assists per game. Over his thirteen year
career, he made a name for himself by becoming all-time leader in points, assists, steals, and
games played. After suffering a torn achilles tendon in his final season, his career was over. In
2000 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and considered one of the top fifty NBA players of
all time. To have achievements of that caliber, in a sport where most of the greatest to ever play
the game played with you, is proof enough of one being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
(NBA.com)
Stephen Curry is in his seventh season in the NBA, after being drafted in 2009 by the
Golden State Warriors. The past three years of his career have been breakout years, in which he
has averaged twenty-four or more points per game. (ESPN.go.com) Now why am I bringing up

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someone who played over twenty years ago in the prime of an era of great basketball, and a
player who was born in the prime of Isiah Thomas career just now making a name for himself?
On January 15th of this year, ESPN put out an article on their website distinguishing the best
point guards of all time. Stephen Curry, a six year veteran of the league, was ranked fourth on the
chart; Isiah Thomas was ranked fifth on the chart (ESPN). This may seem to have little to no
relevance to the daily life of an average person, but to someone who actually values the sport of
basketball that is a big deal. Isiah played his heart out until his body could not fight it any longer,
that is when he was forced to retire and the community dares to put somewhat of a rookie above
an all-time great.
If you walk up to someone on the street and ask them who their favorite basketball player
is at this moment in time, they will probably tell you Stephen Curry or LeBron James. Popularity
has drawn people to consider sticking Steph Currys name in the category of GOAT (Greatest of
All Time). This is something that irks true basketball fans to their very cores, seeing as he is not
even a veteran in the game and people are already holding him in such high esteem.
In order to even superficially discuss the game of basketball, we need to discuss the basic
fundamentals. Players are judged by their ability to shoot the ball, play defense, and just overall
athletic ability. The judgements are usually made by a coach or scout; this could overall affect
the way that they are drafted into the league or the way they are perceived by other teams. When
you are facing another opponent, one must read up on them as much as possible to find their
tendencies and to study their basic abilities as a basketball player. Shooting is an essential part of
any true athlete. When shooting, you have the opportunity to shoot a shot for three points or two
points. As of late, players have realized the most important part of the game is three point
shooting. When you put up a three pointer that is the most points you can get in one shot, and

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that itself should be a reason to consider it the most important shot of the game. This can put you
in the lead to win the game at the end of regulation, or it can catch you up from a three point
deficit to tie the game and put it into overtime. With this in consideration, the player who has
most utilized the three point shot is Steph Curry. This year through fifty-eight games played, he
has made 294 three pointers and is shooting forty-five% from the three point line. Steph has
broken his record of 288 three pointers made last year, and is on pace to set an all-time high that
even he may not be able to top. (espn.go.com) We've acknowledged that Stephen Curry is
probably the best shooter of all-time. We've acknowledged that Stephen Curry is probably the
best basketball player in the world at the moment. It's not enough. Stephen Curry might be
having the best individual scoring season of the modern era (Ziller). Statements such as those
are factual, but one can also argue opinionated. An average person can look on the ESPN website
and read an article talking about the greatness of Stephen Curry. But there is no acknowledgment
of teammates. Given the next closest person to him is Klay Thompson, and he has only made
184 three pointers. (NBA.com/stats) Consider all of this information, and the fact that this man
does not give up and you have the makings to be an amazing NBA player. But in order to be a
critical NBA fan, you have to look at the overall picture.
Stephen Curry has one NBA MVP, one NBA Championship title, three All-Star
appearances, and already has multiple records broken. You can argue that this man is definitely
in contention for another title as of now in this season, but to argue that he could possibly the
greatest of all time is futile. Stephen plays in a league where the three point shot has made its
come up on being a go to shot. Through vigorous training and practice throughout his younger
years, he has prepared himself to become one of the greatest shooters of all time. We have to
consider that the three point shot was not always an option, as it was brought into the NBA in

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1979. (Wood) The three point shot was considered a feat and not a sure shot. Offenses early in
the league were geared more towards driving toward the rim and mid-range shots, coaches
purposely swayed their teams away from practicing the three point shot. There was no offense at
the time that heavily relied on the use of the three point shot. Even the bulls of the 95 season
were more focused on close range to mid-range shots. This very reason is why Steph Curry is
considered so good today. But we have to ask ourselves, without the three point shot who would
Stephen Curry be? Where would he be on the list in comparison to Michael Jordan or LeBron
James? Both of whom dominated respectively in their times. Arguments could be opposed that
with sheer percentage of shots made, which at this point is fifty percent, Stephen Curry would
still be highly ranked. But once you take out that extra point, points per game goes down and so
do opportunities to win games. Without the threes, Stephen Curry would be just another point
guard with a break out year. In the history of the league, superstars have come and gone as
quickly as Russell Westbrook takes a fast break down the court.
Stephen Curry, drafted to the Golden State Warriors from Davidson College, is a 7 year
player of the league. This gentleman is a scholarly and religious man who puts God and Jesus
Christ before himself. He has lead his team to one single Championship in the NBA and is the
current reigning MVP. These are all great accolades, but in comparison to six Championships
from Michael Jordan and even 10 championships, from the great himself, Bill Russell; you
cannot put him up on the list of Greatest of all Time. Without the development of the three point
shot, Stephen Curry and his domination of the league would be irrelevant in todays game. The
three pointers made the superstar, but if that is the only part of your game than one dimensional
should be your name.

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Works Cited
ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
<http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3975/stephen-curry>. Data provided by Elias
Sports Bureau
ESPN. "All-Time #NBArank: Magic Johnson Tops List of Greatest Point Guards." ESPN. ESPN
Internet Ventures, 15 Jan. 2016. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
"League Player Stats." NBA.com/Stats. 2016. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
"NBA.com: Isiah Thomas Bio." NBA.com: Isiah Thomas Bio. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Wood, Ryan. "The History of the 3-Pointer." USA Basketball -. 15 June 2011. Web. 07 Mar.
2016.
Ziller, Tom. "Stephen Curry Is Scoring Better than Michael Jordan Ever Did." SBNation.com. 04
Dec. 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.