Stephen Curry is Not Hurting the Game

During the Golden State Warriors’ Christmas Day matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, ESPN analyst Mark Jackson stated that he believes that Stephen Curry “is hurting the game.” He is wrong.

Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter to ever step on a basketball court.

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He’s also the biggest superstar the NBA has to offer and has become an international icon on par with players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. He dazzles crowds, using his unique skill set to effortlessly embarrass opponents. Just like how kids wanted to be “like Mike” during his reign, Curry is now the source of inspiration for the next generation of basketball players.

Mark Jackson, former Warriors coach and ESPN analyst, who, inexplicably, was assigned to another game in the Bay Area shared a few thoughts on the league’s Most Valuable Player:

"Steph Curry’s great. Steph Curry’s the MVP. He’s a champion. Understand what I’m saying when I say this. He’s hurting the game. And what I mean by that is that I go into these high school gyms, I watch these kids, and the first thing they do is they run to the 3-point line. You are not Steph Curry. Work on the other aspects of the game. People think that he’s just a knock-down shooter."

Jackson tweeted the quote the morning after and urged his followers to “stop searching.” And I get it, I do. It would be unfair to overlook the fact that Jackson praised Curry with his last statement, acknowledging the misconception that Curry is far more than just a shooter. But overall, Jackson’s message reveals a more alarming sentiment being pushed, particularly from voices from the previous eras of the game.

Steph Curry is not ruining the game of basketball.

Blaming Curry for a high-schooler’s ill-advised shot selection is irresponsible. Faulting Curry for leading the league’s latest revolution–one that produces some of the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing basketball–is unreasonable. This is where the league is going and the Charles Barkleys of the world have to deal with it.

Dec 12, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Fans hold cutouts of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) before game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

For kids all across the world, Curry is the guy. Gyms everywhere are filled with kids wearing Under Armour shoes pulling up from beyond the arc trying to be the next Splash Brother. Just as how my generation grew up yelling “Kobe” every time you even shoot a piece of paper into a wastebasket, the next one is trying to be “Steph Curry with the shot.”

Steph Curry is the right type of player for kids to look up to. He can help the development of the game more than a guy like fan-favorite Allen Iverson ever did. In a game that, for the most part, has been dominated by extremely gifted athletes, a skill player is at the top of the mountain.

Michael Jordan, universally accepted as the greatest basketball player ever, changed the game when he played. He popularized dunking while turning winning into something an individual controls alone. Few, if any, wonder if Jordan’s greatness ruined the game of basketball. He helped the NBA grow into the global league it is today while inspiring a countless amount of players including some of the best the game has to offer like Bryant and James.

Sure, the league entered an era where isolation and “hero ball” prevailed. But that’s not Jordan’s fault. Just like how young players pulling up for transition three’s are not Curry’s fault. Blame the coaches and blame the media.

Whether or not Jackson truly believes Curry’s style of play is hurting the game of basketball, he should look at his own employer. As he said, the MVP does more than just shoot the basketball, but, unless you watch his full games everyday, you don’t see it. Outlets like ESPN and Bleacher Report love to showcase the final product, but don’t give fans an idea of what it took to get there. The small, winning plays that a guy like Curry makes–such as making the extra pass or setting an off-ball screen–get lost in the excitement of his 30 foot pull-ups.

Curry’s greatness is being simplified as if anyone can just wake up and be an incredible sharpshooter. There might not ever be another marksman like no.30, but with the proper time and dedication, a young player can get close. Bad habits start at a young age and if coaches allow their players to develop them based on what they think is good basketball, then the problem has nothing to do with Curry.