Stephen Curry...Greatest individual season of all time? **POSSIBLE NBA SPOILERS!**

Yes.. but only if they repeat for the title and a few more after that.

MJ being 6 for 6 in the Finals is a high benchmark. He'll always be the "greatest ever" because there was so much to him beyond the court in terms of revolutionizing the merchandising side of the business, rise of Nike, etc.

 

I agree re what MJ did for the sport.

But for an individual achievement, I think Stephs already 'there or thereabouts'. He's totally dominating the game right now.

Fun stuff! And I really wasn't too much of a basketball fan until I jumped on the Warriors bandwagon a year or so back! (And was staying with a buddy who used to have Warriors season tickets 'explain' the subtleties of the game to me - that helped! )

Cheers,
Ian

 

indeed, it's incredible!! good times..

 

Last nights game was *awesome*! Something like 20 lead changes before he, along with his buddy Klay put it to bed in the fourth.

Certainly a lot of fun being a fan right now.

"This is why we watch."

Cheers,
Ian

 

Best shooter ever, but he'd have to play much better defense to be in the same stratosphere as Jordan (who was defensive player of the year the same season he averaged over 35 a game and easily won mvp). Jordan was a multiple time first team all defense to go along with his 10 scoring titles.

That said, Curry is easily the best player since Jordan. Their whole offense revolves around him and the attention other teams have to pay to him. He needs zero space to get his shot off and has range 10 feet beyond the three point line so is virtually impossible to defend.

 

OH c'mon, not even close. Let's look at Wilt's records, ok?

Averaged 30 PPG 22 RPG for his career. 4.4 assists per game. FOR HIS CAREER.

Played 14 seasons.

in 1962 averaged over 50 PPG, for the season.
in 1961 AVERAGED 24.5 Rebounds per game!!

1967 led the league in ASSISTS.

in his second season in the NBA averaged 38 points and 27 rebounds.

So, is Steph Currry a great player? Sure. Is he Wilt? Not even close. Not even for one season.

D

 

****Warriors - Magic spoilers*****

Hmmm. Wilt was before my time, so I'd need to ask my buddy about that.

But, I just finished watching the Warriors beat the Magic - 51 points (one from the line) from him tonight.

He also broke the consecutive games with a 3-pointer record to take it to 128 straight games.

We'd need to check, but I do believe Stephs getting at least awfully close to the #'s you posted for Wilt.

And wasn't the 3 point line closer back then too?

As an aside, do you rank Wilt above Michael?

Cheers,
Ian

 

yup, but not over 14 seasons, just yet.

3 point line, Wilt didn't need no stinkin' 3 point line. It was added in 1979. Wilt's last season was 1973. All his points were twos.

Nope. Only because Jordan had several more championships. I suspect one on one in their prime, Wilt would have eaten Jordan alive.

I did, as a wee child, see Wilt play. I also saw Jordan once, and Dr. J on several occasions. For sheer excitement, give me Dr J any day, he was a magician. For elevating a team, I'd say Jordan was the best. For sheer strength, Wilt by far and away was the best. Don't forget he scored 100 points in a single game.

And the season he averaged 50 points? He also AVERAGED 27 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Never fouled out of a pro game.


D

 

Wilt was a a physical specimen - a man among boys back in those days. Both MJ and Curry were guards that did/do not physically dominate. There are/were bigger and stronger players in the game than them (in Curry's case, most are bigger and stronger). Wilt had no peer physically. In terms of skill, Wilt couldn't hold a candle to either one. There's a reason Wilt generally ranks behind Kareem as an all time great as while Kareem was tall, he did not physically dominate, especially in his later years when he was one of many 7 footers in the league.

 

but not quicker, I will say not many I've ever seen can hold a candle to his ability to find an open spot where non seems to exist, and then hit that shot, especially 3's.

Wilt could jump out of the building, pass, rebound, and create shots close to the basket. He was NOT a long shooter, by any stretch of the imagination, and was at best a pedestrian foul shooter. But he had some amazing seasons, and one hell of a career. I think Mike Greenberg (Mike and Mike on ESPN) said something like, "There are two record books in the NBA, one for Wilt, and one for the rest of the NBA."

D

 

Fans who were not alive at the time cannot begin to appreciate the Big O, Oscar Robertson, who once averaged a triple double FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON. He did every thing - AND he played a stifling defense. Played for a mediocre Cincinnati team that got out of the playoffs first round only four times in ten years. In 1998 the U.S. Basketball Writers Association named its College Player of the Year Award the Oscar Robertson Trophy. If I'm forming a team, Oscar is my first draft selection.

P.S. as a kid, I watched my first Knick game at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City in 1950.
P.P.S. Dave, I LOVE your quote of Warren Buffet!

 

Also in my top 5 list. Oscar Robertson was a basketball genius.

But hell, it's apparent that we're OLD school. Capital OLD.

D

 

I won't quote everything posted above, but as a "newbie", I really do appreciate the education & comments guys. Thanks!

I'm certainly no "expert", but I do think we may just be watching something very special in Steph & the Warriors right now. Their current record certainly suggests so.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Wilt's record of 25,000 will likely never be duplicated.

 

Curry is a great shooter and is taking advantage of the way the game is played today, not unlike Oscar, Wilt, etc did in their day also...its nice to watch and enjoy!

 

+1

Sit back & enjoy. It's not something we get to see very often.

It's sure starting to look like they'll break the all time wins record. Which would be quite an achievement.

Cheers,
Ian

 

^^^ Yep!

The 'Splash Brothers' are definitely something special.

While Oscar & Wilt were also special talents, I think many are wearing the 'rose tinted' glasses. Which is understandable. We all do on occasion. (See the F1 forum for unlimited examples! )

Michael is maybe another debate.

Cheers,
Ian

 

While I admit I remain a huge F1 fan, I do like to think my rose tinteds aren't quite as 'dark' as some other folks...... Particularly when 'looking back'.....

Cheers,
Ian