When talking about the best point guards in NBA history, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has been often mentioned among the candidates along with Michael Johnson. NBA legend Isiah Thomas, however, doesn’t think that should be the case.
For Thomas, Curry doesn’t belong in the GOAT conversation for the Point guard position, and for good and valid reasons.
Isiah Thomas’ Stance on Golden State Warriors Star Stephen Curry’s PG GOAT Bid
Put simply, Thomas doesn’t see Curry as a point guard, plain and simple. With that said, for him, how can the Warriors sharpshooter be in the PG GOAT debate?
Thomas is in no way discrediting Curry. He’s simply making a case on why it’s hard to put Curry in the PG category based on his definition of a point guard.
As one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Thomas is well-versed to what a point guard does. A traditional point guard is often tasked to making plays for his teammates, setting the floor up and initiating the offense, as well as dissecting defenses.
Unfortunately, Curry’s play isn’t like a traditional point guard. He started a new trend of utilizing the 3-point shot to the maximum, making him one of the best offensive players the league has ever seen. He’s simply unstoppable as an offensive player.
However, in Thomas’ definition, that doesn’t constitute a point guard. Curry’s assist numbers have never gone up above nine per game in average, with his highest being 8.5 back 2013-14. His career average in assists is 6.4.
“Let me just tell you the way I think about point guards. On the Golden State Warriors you are the point guard ,” Thomas told Draymond Green during his appearance on the forward’s podcast, via The Volume
“You have more assists than Steph, you bring the ball up, you initiate the offense, you set the defense, you run the show. Steph comes off screens, he catches and he shoots. And he’s one of the greatest shooters ever, and what he’s been able to do for this generation of play and the way he’s won with it, key word the way he’s won with it, has been different than anybody else has ever tried to do it.”
For what it’s worth, Thomas certainly makes a good point. Curry isn’t a traditional point guard, and so to compare him and to put him above his predecessors who were pure PGs is definitely unfair for all sides.
Curry is an offensive juggernaut, there’s no doubt about that. He’s also already the greatest shooter ever in the history of the game. Nonetheless, being a point guard in its most basic essence is a different conversation.
There’s a Problem With Isiah Thomas’ Stephen Curry Debate
Now, while Thomas’ argument has merit and there are plenty of other fans who support him for it, the fact of the matter is it also has flaws.
For one, if we rely on the definition of a traditional point guard, the likes of LeBron James and Nikola Jokic will be in that conversation. The truth is the game has evolved so much and the skillset of the players has also improved.
Now, playmaking isn’t only a job for point guards, but for every other position. What Curry has done is he revolutionized the game and redefined what a point guard can be. Sure enough, that achievement merits more credit than what people actually give him.
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