NBA legend and Boston Celtics star, Paul Pierce, rocked the basketball community with his recent comments on the FS1 sports talk show “Undisputed.”
Piece boldly announced that Golden State Warrior’s star, Steph Curry, has had a more substantial influence on the National Basketball Association than two of its all-time greats, Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
“Steph’s influence on the game has been greater than LeBron, MJ and Kobe.”
– Paul Pierce
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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 21, 2024
“I was talking to somebody about Steph’s influence,” Pierce said. “Steph’s influence on the game basketball, he’s influenced the NBA more than LeBron, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.”
“Steph’s influence on the game has been greater than LeBron, MJ and Kobe.”
— @paulpierce34 pic.twitter.com/jD8MRvTxhw
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 21, 2024
In explicating his bold claim, Pierce pointed out that the NBA has observed increased 20-point comebacks, directly attributing this shift to the rise of three-point shooting, a skill Curry has well-honed.
As the league prioritizes perimeter shooting more than ever, Curry’s facilitation role in this trend changes has become evident.
Pierce further highlighted that modern teams now prioritize perimeter shooting during player drafts and free agency.
This strategy resonates with Curry’s style of play, a clear sign that he has left a lasting mark on the NBA.
The sports world has seen a similar influential trend in the 90s with Michael Jordan. However, Pierce believes Curry’s game-changing influence has overshadowed even that of the Chicago Bulls legend.
Now into his 15th season, Curry remains a top guard in the NBA. He continues to be a key player for the Golden State Warriors, averaging 26.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
His shooting skills remain unmatched as he registers over 40% from the three-point line with a career-high average of 12 attempts per game.
