3 reasons Stephen Curry is still better than Damian Lillard

Golden State Warriors: 3 reasons Stephen Curry is still better than Damian Lillard

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: (L-R) Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers, Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Seth Curry #31 of the Portland Trail Blazers react during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Percentages

Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter to ever play in the NBA. His volume three-point shooting is impressive, but the thing that stands out the most is his percentages.

Curry has shot over 40% in each of the 10 seasons in which he’s played in at least ten games. With two seasons of at least 45% from deep, Curry has been an absolute monster for defenses, oftentimes seeing immediate double teams in the playoffs just last year.

As for Lillard, he’s approaching those numbers, but just eclipsing 40% for the first time, he’s been far from as efficient over his career.

Curry is shooting 47.6% from the field for his decade-long career while Lillard has yet to go over 44%. While they aren’t the end-all for legacy or comparison, percentages and efficiency do matter.

Both players strike fear into defenses. With Lillard’s recent stint of extreme dominance, we’ve seen him pull up from Curry-like range.

He’s taken over as a scorer and has stepped onto the same level as the former two-time MVP, but unless he improves his efficiency, I’m not sure he’ll ever surpass Curry until the former Davidson standout ages out of his prime.

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