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Stephen Curry vs Steve Nash: Who was better in their prime?

By Nathan Beighle

ONTARIO, CA - OCTOBER 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Steve Nash #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers on October 12, 2012 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ONTARIO, CA - OCTOBER 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Steve Nash #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers on October 12, 2012 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – February 11: Steve Nash #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2014 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California USA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – February 11: Steve Nash #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2014 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California USA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Passing

Curry: 7

This is an interesting discussion.

Steph Curry’s role in the Golden State Warriors offense was not to distribute. His role was to be the threat and open up other options via his dynamic distraction. However, throughout his NBA career, Curry has never been an elite passing guard.

Curry averaged 6.7 assists per game that season, just a bit less than his career average. Curry might’ve received a few points higher for passing if he hit the 8.7 assists per game that he managed two seasons prior.

Ultimately, although not his primary role, passing is something guard are critiqued on, so for Nash’s sake, we have to add to in.

Nash: 10

One of the league’s all-time great game managers, Nash knew how to run an offense inside and out. He averaged a league-high and career-high 11.6 assists per game, just one of five times he held the NBA’s spot for most assists per game.

Nash also had a league-high 50.1% of his team’s assists while on the court. That’s absolutely remarkable. Over 50% of the team’s on-court assists is not a mark too many players are able to maintain at such a volume.

There wasn’t a single player that was an impactful part of his team to hit an assist rate of over 50% this past season. It’s rare and Nash did it, one reason why he received a ten on passing.

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