In 2016, the world was in a serious Steph Curry craze.
Steph Curry tore the NBA up in ways that catapulted his fame to astronomical levels. Starting with his MVP season in 2014-15, the “baby-faced assassin” fueled his rise by initiating the NBA’s 3-point revolution. A year later, his performance left a groundbreaking remark on the game of basketball.
Who else fits that kind of description? Perhaps Michael Jordan? After a relatively slow start to his career, Curry was suddenly being thrown into the same breath as Jordan. His supporters pushed that narrative harder, and his naysayers were offended by the comparison. However, there was no denying that No. 30 was entering a league of his own. Just ask Steve Kerr, the man who witnessed his unanimous MVP season in 2016 and witnessed MJ’s unfathomable peak in the mid-90s.
“It's similar in people's reaction to when they see Michael or Steph," Kerr expressed, per ESPN’s Ethan Sherwood Straus. "Michael would just draw crowds everywhere. We'd get to a hotel in the middle of the night, there'd always be 50 to 100 people out there, 2 a.m. hoping for an autograph. People come before games to see these guys warm up. That happened with Michael. That happens now with Steph. There's sort of a fascination that happens now with Steph that reminds me a lot of people's infatuation with Michael."
Jordan fans can disagree all they want — Curry has a fan attraction that is at least in the ballpark of the Bulls legend. MJ dazzled the world with his high-flying game and the rare ability to almost “float” in the air when attacking the basket. It was purely beautiful to watch. On the other hand, Steph shooting shots from the logo in transition is something that brings our jaws to the floor. The audacity to shoot from such a distance is one thing — the confidence he has to shoot it from as far as he does as often as he does is difficult to put into words.
Who said he’s not a “killer”?
In basketball terms, a “killer” is someone hailed by fans as a late-game clutch performer. Someone who embraces the moment and elevates his production in the last five minutes of a game — when it absolutely counts. Curry’s softer nature and less menacing complexion have some fans convinced that he isn’t the one with a “killer instinct” quite on the level of Jordan. Put it plainly: Kerr would disagree with that sentiment.
"Steph's a killer,” stated Kerr. "He's a killer. People look at him, and he looks like he's 13 years old. Got that great smile and he obviously plays with great joy, but he's a killer. Trust me."
The greatest guard since Jordan?
Ever since he called it quits in 2003, numerous point guards and shooting guards have drawn comparisons to His Airness. Many tried winning the comparison, but many failed. However, Curry is one of the few who actually have a worthy case of being the best guard since No. 23 in Chicago.
Let’s face it: only Chef and Kobe Bryant deserve to be in this discussion. With all due respect to Dwyane Wade, Tracy McGrady, James Harden, Allen Iverson, and so many more — the Warriors legend and the Lakers legend stand alone in Mike’s light. So, who was better?
Steph changed the game, while Kobe was the most reminiscent of MJ. He became the greatest shooter ever, while Bean was the closest to mastering the Bulls' legend’s iconic fadeaway. Chef led the greatest regular season team in NBA history with 73 wins — The Black Mamba was the only to 3-peat since Chicago era. Not intending to stir up a firestorm between Steph and Kobe fans — you be the judge of this debate. Both are legends and icons of the game. But Curry’s reverence in the eyes of fans indeed reached a similar level to the mid-90s Mike.
