Stephen Curry stands undisputed as the greatest shooter ever to grace the basketball court. It is not just a statement but a sentiment echoed by fans, analysts, and even athletes worldwide. His extraordinary shooting has been the key factor propelling him to unparalleled success. With 4 NBA championships, a Finals MVP, an All-Star MVP, and two league MVP titles, Curry’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. However, what adds to the greatness of Steph’s narrative is the unexpected trajectory of his success.
Initially dismissed as a point guard lacking the requisite strength, size, and athleticism to compete in the NBA, Curry defied all expectations. Regardless, even before coaching him, Steve Kerr recognized the untapped potential within him; setting the stage for Curry’s extraordinary journey.
Steve Kerr saw potential in Stephen Curry more than a decade ago
As the 2012 season progressed into the playoffs, Steve Kerr made a bold prediction, foreseeing Stephen Curry as the eventual title holder of the greatest shooter in basketball history. On April 19, 2013, Kerr tweeted, “Steph Curry will one day go down as the greatest shooter of all time. Incredible stroke, confidence, and the ability to create his own shot.”
Steph Curry will one day go down as the greatest shooter of all time. Incredible stroke, confidence and the ability to create his own shot.
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) April 18, 2013
During that period, Mark Jackson served as the coaching leader for the Golden State Warriors, guiding them to a season finish with a 47-35 record. They advanced to the playoffs and lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round. Putting things into perspective, the tweet came from a stretch where the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs were dominating their respective conferences.
Carmelo Anthony was the season’s scoring leader with 28.7 points per game. Dwight Howard secured the lead in rebounds, and Rajon Rondo topped the charts in assists. Notably, Jose Calderon boasted the best 3-point efficiency at an impressive 46.1%.
Stephen Curry was showing signs that only experts could see
When talking about the leaders and players who dominated the court, Stephen Curry was nowhere near the conversation. However, amidst these notable players, Curry was making a way for himself. His most promising stint came when he posted the league’s highest regular-season total with 54 points. Moreover, he also held the season record for the most made threes in a game with 11.
Moreover, in a chart dominated by LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry made his presence known by winning the Player of the Month title in the last month of the season. Furthermore, even though the Warriors couldn’t go past the Spurs, they made for the best 3 points-scoring team in the entire league. Together, they had a 40.3% efficiency from beyond the arc.
