UPDATE: In a revealing conversation, NBA superstar Stephen Curry shared how the arrival of Trae Young in the league made him realize his profound impact on basketball. This insight emerged during a recent episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, co-hosted by fellow legends LeBron James and Steve Nash.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Curry reflected on his influence after James asked, “When did you figure out, holy s—, Steph, what you’re doing on the floor is transcending a whole generation of players?” Curry responded, “When Trae Young came into the league, that was the first person they said was like the ‘next’ me.” This moment marked a significant point in Curry’s career as he recognized the ripple effect of his playing style.
During the podcast, Curry recalled a memorable moment from his former coach Mark Jackson, who claimed Curry “ruined the game” for young players attempting to emulate his long-range shooting. In a light-hearted exchange, James noted, “What Mark didn’t realize is he ruined the league, too. Everyone shoots 3s now,” highlighting the game’s evolution due to Curry’s influence.
DEVELOPING STORY: Nash pointed out a pivotal shift in Curry’s career when he jumped from 646 attempted three-pointers in the 2014-2015 season to 886 the following year. “You jumped 200 3s attempted,” Nash said, emphasizing how this increase set a new standard in the league. “Now it’s not uncommon for three or four guys on your roster to shoot hundreds of 3s per season,” he added.
Curry credited former general manager Bob Myers for encouraging his aggressive shooting strategy. “Bob was the first one to tell me, ‘You should shoot 15 3s a game.’ I thought, ‘What? You know how hard it is to get 12 good looks up?'” Curry recalled. He acknowledged how the game has transformed significantly, stating, “The math says 15 3s for you is great.” The impact of his approach is evident, as the league now sees unprecedented numbers of three-point attempts.
The podcast also featured a humorous story from Nash about defending a younger Curry, which he joked signaled the nearing end of his own career. The trio delved deep into Curry’s shooting mechanics and the strategic nuances of the Golden State Warriors offense, making it a must-watch for basketball fans.
As the episode concluded, the legends analyzed film from the intense 2016 NBA Finals Game 7, where Curry and the Warriors faced off against James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Curry expressed joy while watching highlights, stating, “This is the happiest I’ve ever been watching this game.” The conversation promises to continue, with a second part set to be released soon.
This discourse not only showcases Curry’s profound impact on the NBA but also underscores the transformative nature of modern basketball. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this conversation unfolds and what insights will emerge in the forthcoming episodes. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
