Ranking the Top 5 Most High-Risk, High-Reward NBA Players

1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Feb. 27, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) goes up for a shot as New York Knicks power forward Kenyon Martin (3) defends during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Curry set the NBA on fire this year, mostly from behind the three-point line, breaking Ray Allen’s 269 three-pointer record by three shots on about 50 less attempts.

Curry shot over 45 percent from the field and from behind the arc, and already stands third all-time in free throw percentage at 90 percent. He carried a squad from lottery team to dark horse candidate in a season that saw them upset their first round opponents in the Denver Nuggets.

It could almost be said that them putting up the fight they did against San Antonio was a small upset in itself.

Curry dropped 54 points in Madison Square Garden, putting on a show on basketball’s greatest stage.  The next game, he scored over 40, almost taking down the Pacers by himself. He’s a bonafide NBA superstar.  That’s some astronomical reward potential. But he’s got some of the craziest risk factors in the league too by just stepping onto the floor.

Curry’s lack of size and strength leaves him vulnerable to longer, physical defenders like Kawhi Leonard. Plus, he’s prone to turnovers in high numbers and at terrible times in games. He’s still very much a below average defender for his position. He passes very well at times, but he overdoes it. He can try for flashy passes that end up missing or getting picked off.  But those aren’t even the highest risks.

The worst: he’s very injury prone. Warriors fans know that ankle all too well.  It sidelined him for pretty much all of last season, and made him a much lesser factor in games this year. His good ankle even gave him trouble at times.  That’s never a good thing.

But in his case, as well as those of every player on this list, their teams are always willing to take the risk in hopes of the reward. That bet might help them, and it might hurt them.  But, after all, who doesn’t love a good gamble?