Even though others have been saying it for years, Stephen Curry never wanted to say it himself.
He wouldn’t call himself the best shooter in the world unless the numbers proved it.
So, where are we now?
Curry said, raising his arms high in the air, “I got that baby.”
He adopted the same posture hours earlier, after scoring his 2,974th 3-pointer in the first quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ triumph over the New York Knicks to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Curry shattered Ray Allen’s record, which he had held for ten years after passing Reggie Miller. They were both at the game, and Curry was given a jersey with the number 2,974 on the back.
By the time Curry is done playing a game in a style that didn’t exist before him, that figure may reach 4,000 or more.
Draymond Green, a teammate, remarked, “He has completely revolutionized the game of basketball as we know it.”
With 7:33 left in the first quarter, Curry scored the game-winning shot from the right wing, raising his arms in the air, blowing a kiss, and pounding his chest as he jogged backward down the court. After committing a foul, the Warriors swiftly called a timeout, allowing the celebration to begin.
Curry greeted his father, Dell Curry, who was sitting along a baseline, while Bob McKillop, Curry’s Davidson coach, stood in the seats, beaming with Larry Riley, the Warriors’ first pick. Curry ran back across the court for a long embrace and a few happy words from Allen, followed by a hug from Green, among others.
Curry leads the career record for 3-pointers after previously having two of the top three seasons — including the only season with 400 3s.
It came on Feb. 27, 2013, at Madison Square Garden, where Curry had one of his early-career peaks, making 11 3-pointers and scoring 54 points. He went on to win two MVP honors and three championships, as well as becoming one of the game’s largest and most beloved figures.
Fans chanted “MVP! MVP!” when he finished his postgame interview on the court, which took a long time.
“I think fans are drawn to him simply because of his humility, his story, and how hard he’s had to work,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said before the game.
To begin this road trip, Curry had been far from his best outside the arc, hitting 3 for 14 in Philadelphia and then 5 for 15 in Indiana. Kerr projected a breakout in the near future, based on his ability to swing from drooping to surging in a flash.
It arrived fast. Tuesday. Curry made his first attempt from the line, and fans all across the arena stood as he dribbled the ball across center court on the next play. He made a clumsy attempt that he failed to land.
Curry’s next shot broke the mark, and it was classic Curry. He eventually gave up the ball and sprinted back to the outside, regaining possession and seemingly launching the ball in the same move before a defender could reach him.
It wasn’t an easy shot, but Curry had made it so many times before that he knew it was a sure thing.
“Of course,” he replied.
That rapid shot, whether it’s after grabbing it or on the dribble, plus his ability to release from so deep behind the arc have made him a shooter unlike any other.
Former Dallas great Dirk Nowitzki recently remarked, “He’s the finest shooter I’ve ever seen, and I think it’s evident he’s the best catch-and-shoot guy.” “But it’s off the dribble where he’s so excellent, and I believe that’s something he added, the quick 3 off the dribble.” His shot is gone in a single motion.”
Curry’s stardom was not inevitable when he entered the league as the No. 7 pick out of Davidson, which is not one of the basketball powerhouses that often produces the best players.
But, with an unrivaled mix of dribbling and shooting accuracy, he spearheaded a long-distance revolution that transformed the 3-pointer from an afterthought in NBA offenses to a weapon. He’s led the league in 3-pointers six times and is on his way to a seventh for a Warriors club that has resurrected and now has the best record in the league at 23-5.
“With his tremendous artistry and extraordinary shooting skill, he has altered the way the game is played and continues to leave fans in amazement,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “On this historic feat, we congratulate him.”
Curry’s current pace could put the record out of reach: he was making 5.4 3-pointers per game this season, the most of his career.
Curry, 33, has now appeared in 789 games and may have a few more seasons at the top ahead of him. Allen had 1,918 3s at the same time in his career.
