Mar 8, 2016 Because MJ is the greatest all around player of all time. From athleticism to knowledge of the game. He was an elite scorer and elite defender with elite ball handling skills. He had it all. Unlike Wilt, Magic, Bird, Kareem, etc. They all had flaws in their game. Jordan didn't. And the ONLY player I can say the same thing about is Kobe, but on a LESSER level. Magic was an elite distributor, but he wasn't elite in all the other categories. Bird was all around probably the best pure basketball player ever, but he didn't have Jordan's athleticism, Wilt/Russel/Shaq/Hakeem etc were elites too, but they couldn't drive, create jump shots, hit 3's etc. Kobe is the only one on that level. Why would anyone mention the others? Dude, Bill Russell has 11 rings, and I don't think he's the greatest center of all time, and he's from my favorite franchise lol. Curry will never be MJ. He doesn't drive like him, he doesn't play defense like him, he doesn't dunk like him. He's an elite ball handler and ELITE shooter. But, like I've said, MJ had it ALL, much like Kobe.
Mar 8, 2016 Okay so now you're back on the 'no chance' side? Ugh, I'm out, see you guys in 10 years when we have our answer. Also I never said Curry and MJ were similar styles lol, they're completely different. Yes I'm well aware he doesn't have Kobe or MJ's drive and intensity, while I don't respect/appreciate players as much who don't, it doesn't necessarily mean they can't be better players overall.
Mar 8, 2016 You think Curry will be an elite defender? He doesn't even play defense lol. If he plays defense? Sure. If he learns how to drive and dunk over a center? Sure.
Mar 8, 2016 Curry's defense is really good actually, a little over a year ago is when he started to step up defensively.
Mar 8, 2016 If it's a matter of COULD *insert name* be on MJ's level? Sure. Anything is possible. But, in order for a player to do that, here is a checklist for people who witness MJ play: - Can he drive? - Is he clutch? - Can he create his own shots? - Is he an elite defender? - Will he lead any defensive categories? - How many rings does he have? - Can he dunk? - How are his layups? - How many MVPs? - How many Finals MVPs? - How many scoring titles? - Longevity? - How's his post game? If Curry can be all that? Sure, let's bring him into the argument. But, he has a LONG f---ing way to go.
Mar 8, 2016 And I rooted against Jordan, I f---ing hated him. The last like, two minutes of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Jazz symbolizes Jordan's entire f---ing career to me. Clutch defensive and offensive plays in big time moments.
Mar 8, 2016 As good as that sounds, and I like Curry. "Really good" is not Jordan level defense lol. Edit: plus you neglected my point about him driving and dunking over centers lol
Mar 8, 2016 So if he keeps up his same style of play and wins let's say 8 rings, that wouldn't be enough to you? He has to adjust his game and become a different player too? Why? No one wants to see Curry trying to dunk on 7 footers lol, it's not his game just like 3 point shooting wasn't Jordan's game. It's the success that matters no matter how it's done, clearly it's working for him. You just have this certain picture in your mind of what you want the best to look like, and that picture is Jordan...You and many others will never accept anyone besides Jordan as the best ever, that's the unfortunate sad truth. I'm not saying anyone's there or has been there or even will get there, but that's the way it is for so many people and it's so d--- obvious to me..No other way to explain people saying Kobe in his mid 20s with 3 rings or Curry possibly soon with 2 in the 1st 2 years of his prime(also had 2 of the most dominant seasons recently) has no chance.
Mar 9, 2016 Bill Russell has 11 rings, and I don't consider him, or any Celtic from those teams NEAR Jordan's level. And I'm a Celtic fan lol. Plus, you forget that Jordan retired from championship teams TWICE. Jordan could've very well had 8-10 rings if he didn't retire in the middle of championship runs. You say it's not Curry's game, which is FINE, it's not a fault against him. But you're asking me why I can't put him on Jordan's level. Jordan did EVERYTHING great. Jordan was an elite defender, elite scorer, elite driver, elite at creating shots, elite ball handler... ELITE EVERYTHING. There was NOTHING he couldn't do. Not only that, but he has the rings, the MVPs, the scoring titles, the defensive player award, etc. Curry doesn't have to do anything for anyone. But, he is not MJ. He does not play like MJ. It's like comparing Tim Duncan to MJ, it makes no sense. MJ was a once in a lifetime player. It's not fair to compare just ANY great player to him. Kobe is the ONLY player that I've seen who played a similar style and played it to Jordan's level. Steph Curry and Lebron James DON'T play like him. Lebron plays like Magic, while Curry plays a lot like Ray Allen or Reggie Miller. Curry might go down as the greatest shooter of all time, and that's saying a ton. However, that doesn't make him the best ALL AROUND BASKETBALL PLAYER I've ever seen. Lebron could've been it, to be honest. When he had that game 6 against Boston in the ECF, that was as dominant as Jordan was. He could drive it, dunk it, lay up, s---t, s---t 3's, played defense, rebounded... He was EVERYWHERE and effected every aspect of the game. He was dominant on ALL levels, and had a chip on his shoulder. It was center stage, the chips were down, and I knew as a Celtics fan, we weren't winning the series. I legit said after that season, Lebron could be on his way to being on MJ's level. Then I saw him get cramps and shrink in big moments, and my perception went back. How can I say Curry is better than Jordan when the only thing he's elite at is 3 pointers? I don't get that concept lol. Jordan was a lock down defender and a 10 time scoring champion. He led the NBA in steals 3 times. Is Curry doing any of that? Jordan dominated all aspects of the game, while Curry just dominates the 3 point line. Which, dude, is GREAT, but I consider Curry one of, if not, the BEST shooter I've ever seen, not the best player I've seen. There's a difference
Mar 9, 2016 THIS. I don't think there's any debate here. I watched Reggie and Ray, and I think Steph is f---ing ridiculous with his shot. I'm already convinced he's the greatest shooter I've seen. He's hitting shots REGULARLY that nobody else can. But he isn't an all around talent like MJ. MJ is the best pure basketball player I've ever seen. And I agree, Lebron is a p----. He had that edge to him in 2012, and for most of 13, but then he reverted back to shrinking in big moments.
Mar 9, 2016 That's the thing though..... this is by no means early in his career. He won't have the longevity factor. His peak is something we've never seen before(though I think we would have seen better from a 27 year old if he Kobe was surrounded by Klay, Green and Iggy as opposed to Kwame, Smush and Mihm lol but that's another story all together) Curry is the greatest shooter I've ever seen but player? No way. He can take a seat behind MJ, Kobe, Shaq and Duncan. One great year and one all time season just can't compare with the longevity other greats have had.
Mar 9, 2016 He has at least 5 prime years left IMO, probably more. Also as I said earlier he won't have to adjust his game as he gets older much since shooting is already his specialty.
Mar 9, 2016 I really disagree with the 5 years. He just turned 27. I'd say 2-3 more at this level tops. MJ, Kobe and Lebron all had significant drop offs at 30. Either way a few months from now I think this will all be moot when they get bounced by the Spurs.
Mar 9, 2016 OK, to further put this into perspective. Since, I guess we're talking about scoring? Curry is currently averaging 30.7 points per game. It's his first time averaging over 30 PPG in his career. Lebron averaged over 30 points per game two times in his career (31.3, 30.0) Kobe averaged over 30 points per game 3 times in his career (30.0, 31.6, 35.4) Jordan averaged over 30 points 8 times in his career (37.1, 35.0, 32.5, 33.6, 31.5, 30.6, 32.6, 30.1) Even as GREAT as Curry and Kobe's primes were/are... They still have a long way to go to catch up to MJ. And none of them had MJ's defensive accolades either. Like, do you realize how much f---ing work Steph Curry has to do to be put on the level of these guys? You act like it's an easy task, like 5 years is going to compete with MJ or Kobe lol. MJ was dominant all the way until he was like 38. His last two years, in his 40's on the Wizards, were better statistically than Curry's first 4 f---ing years in the league... Cmon bruh. It's so disrespectful to compare these two based off ONE great season.
Mar 9, 2016 Kobe and Lebron's highest was 2.2 once, and Steph's highest was 2.1 Not to mention Jordan averaged over 2.1 steals per game 10 times in his career (his highest being 2.7, 2.8, 2.8, 2.9, 2.9, 3.2) Like... cmon bruh...
Mar 9, 2016 K we get it Fitz, calm down. All I said is its possible, I don't expect it to happen either.
Mar 9, 2016 Did I mention rebounding or blocked shots? It's pretty much the same result, although Lebron competes with Jordan more than Kobe or Curry do lol. It's pretty lopsided. lol Don't tell me to calm down. You asked the questions, I gave you the answers. I told you, it is disrespectful to compare people to Jordan, because the man was all around DOMINANT, in all phases of the game, for 2 decades in the league.
