The Golden State Warriors are largely responsible for modern NBA spacing. Their 3-point volume and efficiency from their golden days have yet to be matched by another dynasty. It should come as no surprise then, that Stephen Curry ranks as the best floor spacer in the league.
It really shouldn’t come as a surprise, the Golden State Warriors have the best floor spacer in the entire NBA in Stephen Curry.
CJ Marchesani of The Stepien created a fantastic chart that ranks the best floor spacers in the NBA. In addition to spacing, his metric factors in the on-ball attention (gravity) a player generates. Curry stands above the rest as the only star to notch scores of 100 in each metric.
The next closest is Damian Lillard, who posts an impressive 98 and 99 in spacing and gravity. For clarification, spacing refers to drawing a defender out past the 3-point line (off or on the ball) while gravity, again, is the defensive attention a play demands. As a result, someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks high in gravity (99) but low in spacing (27). In total, four players hold a 99 gravity rating but only Curry and Nikola Jokic hold perfect scores this season.
Back to spacing, Curry is matched only by Bodgan Bogdanavoic — who also earned a surprising 83 gravity rating, as well. Also featured as top shooters are expected names like Joe Harris and Duncan Robinson.
And yet, no one really comes close to matching Curry’s effectiveness in both categories. Again, Lillard is close, as is Zach Lavine who clocks in a 96 and 98 rating in both, but Curry remains above the rest of the league.
Are we surprised, though? Curry holds all kinds of 3-point records and was on pace to set the single-season 3-point record once again this season. He is truly one of a kind and this metric only further proves so. Imagine what the Warriors will look like once Klay Thompson, another one of the best shooters of all time, is back on the floor next to Curry.